Increase in Artillery of the Poltava Fortress in Winter 1708 – Spring 1709

Abstract

Introduction. The battle of Poltava on June 27, 1709 is one of the most famous battles of the Great Northern War. Despite the rich historiography, a number of issues related to this event remain insufficiently studied. This study is devoted to the analysis of certain aspects associated with the formation of the artillery park of the fortified city of Poltava in winter 1708 – spring 1709, the day before and during the siege of the Swedish army. Methods and materials. The preparation of the Poltava fortress on the eve and during the period of its siege by the troops of Charles XII has not been specifically studied in historiography to date. The study is based on both published documents and those stored in the archives of Russia and Ukraine, which allow us to understand the principles of command of the Russian commanders, in terms of supplying the Poltava fortress with guns and ammunition. Methods of the study: the principles of historicism and objectivity, analysis, synthesis, systematic approach. Analysis. In the course of the study, it was possible to determine the main actions of the command of the Russian army and personally of Peter I to increase the defense capability of fortresses in the Cossack Hetmanate and the fortress city of Poltava, in particular. The analysis of the documents indicates that the Poltava garrison successfully collected additional resources for the artillery park of the fortress as soon as possible, which helped to strengthen and retain the Poltava fortress during its immediate siege (May – June 1709). Results. As a result of the study, a set of valuable documents is introduced into scientific circulation, filling in the gaps associated with the history of the defense of the Poltava fortress in 1709 and establishing the main source of supply of artillery guns and ammunition for the Poltava garrison during its preparation for defense.