Vasily Mirovich

Vasily Mirovich was a Lieutenant of the smolensk regiment and was one of the men guarding the imprisoned Ivan VI of Russia at Shlisselburg.

Early life

Mirovich was born circa 1740, not much is known about his life until his attempted rescue of Ivan VI of Russia, except the fact that he was of aristocratic Ukrainian origin. His family's estates had been confiscated in 1709 by Peter the Great because his grandfather had sided with Ivan Mazepa against the tsar during the Swedish invasion of Russia. Mirovich grew up in poverty as a result of this, and was deprived of most of his family heritage, he petitioned the senate in hopes of recovering his family's lands twice and was refused both times. He approached the Hetman of Ukraine but was told that his claims were hopeless, the Hetman said to Mirovich "Make your own career young man. Seize fortune by the forelock as others have done." Mirovich would remember these words for the rest of his life.^[1]

Attempted rescue of Ivan VI

Mirovich was later assigned as a Lieutenant to Schlüsselburg the fortress in which Ivan VI of Russia was jailed and soon began to realise who the prisoner who had his name withheld from everyone at the prison was. He soon began to formulate a plan to liberate Ivan VI of Russia in the beginning it was purely for fame and fortune as Mirovich was in misery, but then a religious motivation grew inside him, surely god will approve of removing the usurping Catherine the Great in favour of the anointed Tsar. He found an accomplice to assist him in his goals this mans name was Appolon Ushakov. After planning and examining the layout and writing a manifesto they were almost ready, they both swore an oath to god.^[2] However Ushankov had to go on a mission to give funds to the commander at Smolensk but eventually turned back due to illness or faking it, he did not come back, for he had drowned on his way home, he decided he would have to do it alone, then on the 4–5 of July at around 2 am in the morning Mirovich called the men under his command to arms and began his attempt to free Ivan VI of Russia after seizing the main gates the jailer was called out to see what was happening, and then began to march on Ivan's cell gunfire was exchanged between Mirovich's men and Ivan's guards, however by then it was too late the guards guarding Ivan VI of Russia had orders to slay him if an attempt was made to free him and they succeeded in that regard. After seeing Ivan's dead body Mirovich surrendered.^[3]

Execution

After an investigation into the matter and Mirovich's refusal to name accomplices he was executed on 15 September, he remained so calm during his execution many expected him to be pardoned, and the crowd gasped in shock when he was actually executed.^[4]

References

• Massie, Robert K (2012). Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman. Usa: Random House Trade Paperbacks. p. 321.
• Rounding, Virginia (2007). Catherine The Great. Arrow Books. pp. 184–185.
• Alexander, John T (1989). Catherine the Great: Life and Legend. Oxford University Press.