Invading Russia: a (Mostly

Unsuccessful) HistoryBy Shazan Qureshi

Who’s tried it?

Mongols (1223-1236)

Results:

• Since no unified Russian state existed, the Mongols were able to pick off the Russian principalities one by one.!

• The Russian states remained under Mongol dominance for over 100 years.

Success?Yes.

But it’s the last one.

The Teutonic Knights (1242)

Results:• Teutonic Knights crushed at the Battle

of Lake Peipus by Russian leader Alexander Nevsky.!

• Eastward expansion of Teutonic Knights permanently checked.

Sweden (1707)

Results:

• Russians adopt a scorched-earth policy and refuse to engage the Swedish in direct conflict.!

• Swedish killed off by cold until they were forced into battle at Poltava, where they were crushed.!

• The Swedish Empire never gained any new territory afterwards, and Russia earned prestige in Europe.

Napoleon (1812)

Results:• As he moved deeper into Russia,

Napoleon’s supply lines became overextended. !

• While he captures Moscow, Napoleon is forced out of the city and marches back to France, and his army is picked off by hunger, the cold weather and Russian guerrillas.!

• Napoleon’s enemy use the opportunity to attack him, and are victorious.

Nazi Germany (1941 - 1944)

Results:• Germans make lots of quick gains, but stop after

Moscow and St. Petersburg, neither of which they take.!• German progress hindered by Russian guerrillas.!• Germans keep the upper hand until losing Stalingrad in

1943.!• Russians push back, eventually making it to Berlin.

Who will try next?