Battle of Poltava 1709 - Great Northern War DOCUMENTARY 

Head to keeps.com/kings to get 50% off your first order of hair loss treatment! Check out our new fantasy channel - new Middle-Earth video just dropped - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lCbbDreAx3o.html Previous episode in this series: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xiT5FDJDlQ0.html Also, this video is available in Spanish, press the gear button on PC or 3 dots on mobile to switch to English or Spanish audio track.

Here in Stockholm, there is a statue of Charles XII depicting him pointing towards the east (Russia). While in St Petersburg, Russia there is a statue of Peter The Great depicting him pointing towards the west (Sweden).

It's crazy how they just went forward like that into slaughter. Incredibly rare for a fighting force to not shatter during circumstances like that.

Charles suffering the same fate that Napoleon and Hitler would after him. They say that failure can be the best teacher, and in this case that was certainly true with Peter.

Road to certain death and pain Swedish soldier's met thier bane sacrifice thier lives in vain POLTAVA! Russian armies blocked thier way Twenty thousand lost that day

"...Swedish soldiers met their bane Sacrificed their lives in vain POLTAVA!"

I'm Swedish and according to the notes on my ancestor he was present at Poltava as the Drabant guard on horse of Charles XII. He survived and escaped with Charles to Bender and later to Sweden again.

How to destroy your Empire in two easy steps. Step 1: Invade Russia. Step 2: Russia invades YOU.

The mere fact they made it past the redoubts was in itself an great achievement by the time for the final assault Roos had lost 2500 out of 3000 men and could not take part not that it would made a difference. Those who made it through numbered maybe 3000 and they charged 30000 and the Caroleans died as they lived with honor, courage and faith but still they died in vain. It was a strategic error to advance into Russia. Advancing away from your own lands weakening yourself through constant skirmishing while suffering starvation and disease and loosing thousands for nothing the Swedish invasion of Russia must be on of the top military blunders of all time.

Sweden: "We have defeated the Russians time and time again. They will capitulate." Russia: "Hey Sweden. I didn't hear no bell."

Would be cool to have a Suvorov series, general that never lost a battle while being outnumbered most of a time.

*LISTEN, EXCUSE FOR A KING* *TRUST ME, THIS FIGHT YOU CAN'T WIN*

As a swede,I know full well that my country wouldn’t be anywhere near what it is today, but man, poltava still leaves a sour taste in my mouth lol

Cool story regarding Charles XII's escape from the battlefield of Poltava: Charles XII and his entourage had marched with the right Swedish infantry wing in their attack, and stood on a small hill behind the wing, protected by 14 surviving lifeguards, 4 dragoons and the remains of the Life Dragoon Regiment and the Life Regiment on horseback. Some Russians attacked the king's entourage, but were repulsed without major problems. When several Swedish battalions began their flight from the battlefield, Rehnskiöld rode up to the king and reported that "our infantry is running from the battlefield!". The king questioned this development, whereupon Rehnskiöld, before he rode away, urged the king's surviving lifeguards to "take good care of our Gracious Lord!". When the gunpowder smoke and dust began to disperse on the battlefield, Charles XII and his entourage discovered that the infantry was really gone, and that they were the last Swedes to stand idle on the battlefield. When the enteorage was soon surrounded by the Russians, the king ordered a quick retreat. The entourage moved away towards a forest edge, 800 meters northeast of the village of Maloje Budishte when their retreat was threatened by a Russian cannon-equipped battalion. Swedish Major General Creutz, who was on site with his cavalry, escorted the king's entourage between the Russian battalion and the forest. The Russian soldiers turned right and fired their muskets and cannons towards the king and his enteorage. With heavy casualties, the king's entourage continued into the woods towards a moraine, pursued by the Russians shortly after them. The king's crew, however, became stuck in a small swamp, after which the Russians fired a cannonball that smashed the king's horse stretcher and caused the king's two horses to collapse. Standing on the edge of the moraine, the Russians fired their muskets against the king's entourage, where several sacrificed their lives by acting as targets, to protect the king from projectiles. The king was soon lifted out of the unusable stretcher and on to a horse belonging to a lifeguard named Bass. The new horse only managed to take a few steps forward, until it was hit by a cannonball that tore off one of its legs. The king needed a new horse and ordered the wounded lieutenant Giertta to give his horse to him. Resting on the horse's neck, the King, 3 of his 24 lifeguards and other survivors from his entourage rode away from the death trap by the marsh, eventually returning back to their main headquarters. Giertta was left supportive on a fence, but he was rescued at the last minute by his brothers, Adam and Christian Giertta. About twenty lifeguards and dragoons fell by the swamp, while several others were wounded and soon captured by the Russians.

i would love to see the continuation of history of Rus like from war against mongols like in battle of blue waters, Kulikovo, and ugra river, rise of grand duchy of moscow, fall of rurikid dynasty to rise of romanov. and also i would like you cover wars in 16th century eastern europe in ukraine ( Although during that time ukraine not exist till 1918 ), sweden and poland like Russo-Ottoman wars, Polish-Cossack-Tatar wars, and Russo-Polish war.

Комментарии шведов очень смешные😂😂😂...получается что за русских воюет генерал Мороз...а ещё наверно генералы Жара...Ветер...Комар...Дождь...Чума...Понос...Партизан и тд. 😂😂😂Кстати...французы , немцы , поляки , турки и другие поют ту же песню😂😂😂

So this is what divine miracle looks like, it is fueled by a lot of gunpowder.

Time has worn the soldiers down Marched for many miles In the eastern lands so cursed Time to make a stand Tsar has scorched his nation’s land Nothing to be found Hunger grasp the soliders heart 20 000 men strong

Russia was not an empire before Great Northern war. It was a secondary kingdom at best. But swedes literally forge Russia in to a great power in battle. Even Peter himself called captured Swedish generals teachers. If not for the military genius of Charles XII(Who in my opinion should be celebrated and widely know as Napoleon) and his caroleans Russia might not have become a superpower ever. But after learning from the best we become great. Tsar Peter showed that no mater how many time you fall you should learn and improve yourself and eventually you will defeat even the very best.

"We humans are foolish in many ways: we want to conquer all as if we had all time, as if our lives did not have any end. Thus, our real time passes too quickly, and often when one believes that they are working only for themselves, they are in fact working for unworthy or ungrateful successors" - Frederick II of Prussia

When I was in university pursuing my history degree, I had desperately wanted to research the Great Northern War for one of my term papers, but I couldn’t find enough primary sources that were translated to English that would satisfy my professor. This was about 15 years ago, so I had to give it up. You can most certainly see the shadow of this war on the modern world even if you don’t know anything about the war itself. This series so far has been very entertaining. Good job K&G!

I just can't believe how far Sweden went. They did own the north and were so powerful. Bit off more than they could chew, but I give them props.

(Continue the lyrics) Time has worn the soldiers down, marched for many miles

I read that the Swedish plan was actually to bypass the bastions and use the element of surprise to attack the Russian camp with Swedish cavalry charging ahead and attacking the weak northern wall. If this worked then the defeated Russian army would be on the wrong side of the Vorskla river (probably why the siege of Poltava was so half-hearted and Charles let Peter cross the river in the first place). Unfortunately, the noise of the Russians building several nearby redoubts frightened the Swedes who went from column to line and then column again. At this point the sun had risen and the element of surprise was lost.

Kalmyks' participation is remarkable. Could you imagine a fight between Swedes and Buddist nomads?

"Time has worn the soldiers down Marched for many miles In the eastern lands so cursed Time to make a stand"

poor swedish soilders, they went straight to their death, just to show how fearsome Russia and the Russian people are.

The Russian Eagle finally takes off. The Swedish lion finally humbles.

As someone who has watched this channel since shortly after its inception, it’s been delightful to watch the production go up and up. The music, the visuals, the narration. The only thing I miss is that sound of towns revolting.

Russian history is fascinating. You guys should cover the conquest of Siberia and the Catherine the great rein

Time has worn the soldiers down, Marched for many miles.

Listen, excuse for a King! Trust me, this fight you can't win!

I would love to see a series on the Russo-Turkish wars. Also, the Kalmyks themselves would make for interesting content

It was a defeat but it was a glorious defeat. Proud of my ancestors as a Finn. Respect to the Russians for the victory as well. Men made of steel on both sides.

The Swedish forces kept on advancing valiantly only to find themselves stuck in a death trap they can no longer run from. Russians are scary as hell😰

The Battle of Poltava was my most humiliating defeat. I had wished no one would make the same mistake I did but God had different plans....

Russia have much less forces, than what you saied Participated in battle: 24,500 infantry 14,600 dragoons[2] 3,000 Kalmyks[3] 86 cannons

*cries in swedish*

Please make a serie about rome‘s wars with the Empires of the east (Parthia and later the Sassanids)

Charles I think shouldn't have neglected his eastern front for so long. Had he thought more strategically he might've avoided this disaster. My compliments to all those who made this video a reality.

And so, the day has come, the Great Battle of Poltava, it was commendable of Charles XII to beat everyone to this point, but like many people before him, the vastness of Russia takes its toll PS: I know and understand the circumstances that caused Charles to lose include his own hubris and lack of communication and the commanders that had to take over and so on and so forth

I'm from Latvia - for our country this was a HUUUUUGE turning point. After Swedes lost to Russian Empire, we spent THREE HUNDRED years under their flag. I love watching these videos, especially where they cover the Great Northern war!

Any invasion of Russia is a mistake, Russia is invincible on its territory, it defeated three times the strongest armies of the world at that time: Swedish in 1709, French in 1812 and German in 1941-45.

hi Kings and Generals, could you make a video on the Assault on Copenhagen (1659)? As that was the close point to the end of Denmark as a independent nation

Can you do a series on the War of Spanish succession and this war was being fought at the same time as the great northern war and the opposing sides of the war were the Habsburg Monarchy, England, Great Britain, Dutch republic, Prussia, Savoy and Portugal Facing them would be the French and pro bourbon Spain and this war would bring great generals like Prince Eugene of Savoy a veteran of the battle of Vienna, Louis William Margrave of Baden Baden who was also a veteran of the battle of Vienna, Guido Starhemberg the cousin of Ernest Rudiger von Starhemburg who was a commander at the battle of Vienna, Henry de Nassau lord overkirk second cousin of king William the third of England, Scotland and Ireland, Arnold Van keppel the 1st Earl of Albemarle, Antonio Sousa, Leopold the 1st prince of Anhalt Dessau and the Famous John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough and ancestor of British prime minister Winston Churchill but on the opposing side other great generals will fight like Louis Joseph Duke of vendome, James Fitz James 1st Duke of Berwick, Francis de Neufville 2nd Duke of Villeroy, and the Duke of Boufflers and this war also included great battles like Ramillies, the siege of Turin, The Battle of Blenheim, Malplaquet, Almansa, Oudenarde and Denian but besides Europe the war was also fought in the European colonies in America where the forces of France, Spain and Various American Indian tribes fought England, the Iroquois confederacy and the American Indians that sided with the British but besides on land the war was also ferocious at sea most notably in the Caribbean because the events in the Caribbean gave rise to some of the most famous historical pirates of the Golden age of piracy like Benjamin Hornigold, Black Sam Bellamy, Anne Bonny, John West, Paulsgrave Williams, John Vane, Henry Jennings, Calico Jack, Stede Bonnet and the most notorious and famous pirate of the Golden age of piracy Edward Thatch or as he is more better known as Blackbeard and its because of the British wanting to use privateers and not their own navy that these men would become pirates and ravage the Caribbean islands and the Eastern coast of North America.

Are you going to finish the Italian Wars anytime soon?

The Battle of Poltava itself wasn’t the important part, it was the masterclass in the Fabian style of war showcased by the Russians for months leading up to Poltava. There was no special tactic, no amazing move that helped Peter win; the Swedish army had been completely torn apart logistically, thousands had died of starvation and cold, the remainder were hungry, tired, and drained. Charles’ mistake wasn’t his foot injury, it was crossing into Russia at this moment and not 6 years prior.

Looks like "General Winter" started the Great Frost during this war.

Love the "media offline" frame at ~14:24. Took several tries to pause it on exactly the right spot hehe

Charles XII was the latest king that was fighting in the frontline of an empire, that's why he's the latest true warrior king

And 100-110 year later Napoleon did the same mistake as Charles and 100-130 year after that, Hitler did the same mistake.

Time for some Sabaton soundtrack…

To provide a better understanding what this battle meant for Russians: until now, 300 years later, they say about someone or something utterly defeated, exhausted, and weak "as a Swede after Poltava". After WW2 they say "as a German after Stalingrad" as often though.

It was a foolish war for pride. Our glorious Dumb King drove 76.000 Swedish soldiers and countless others into their graves for a stupid fruitless conquest. Sweden would not be able to hold Poland, prussia, Estonia and Finland. We were to few in Numbers. The war deviatated Swedish lives and the Swedish economy for the next 200 years...

As a half Swede/ half Hungarian, I just realize how similar ending Medival Hungary and the Swedish empire had. All of their power and might, snuffed in a day. More was lost at Mohács🇭🇺 Poltava Rode to certain death and pain Poltava Swedish soldiers met their bane Poltava Sacrificed their lives in vain Poltava🇸🇪

Attacking Russia = Career ending move

This episode felt very rushed; there are many mistakes, especially in how the battle is portrayed.

i am in awe of my Swedish grandfathers, må ni föralltid bli ihågkomna som dom tapraste av män 🇸🇪

It has proven to be difficult for a general to say no to the king, when they are the same person.

Vodka vs IKEA

This is the biggest loss in Swedish history. and some believe that this was the end of the Swedish empire. Plotava was already a battle that was lost before they started. though it could have been a victory if certain factors were different. Above all, a better communication from officers and genarlas. and the greatest that could have been a victory over the Ukrainian forces was in fact 10,000 as they promised. otherwise I think Charles Xii would have chosen a different path in this war

good lord it is painful seeing completely uninformed comments rambling on about how stupid the swedes were. Like please, sweden was attacked on literally all sides by (on paper) superior powers. Powers with far more people to expend in war and with international recognition. They were fighting a defensive war which they had to win in a complete, total victory or their enemies would just be back later with reformed militaries, which would mean sweden having lost all its military advantage. People should really do well to remember that retreat was not an option for them, both in the literal sense and an ideological one. People really like to conveniently forget how useful hindsight is in predicting a war/battle. Very little information presented here was known by the individuals in charge

Charles XII was the military genius of his era. Respect from Turkey.

Grata sorpresa verlo en español. Ahora Tsar has scorched his nation's land Nothing to be found Hunger grapes the soldiers hearth 20000 strong.

14:24 no worries its just media offline warning

Of all the empires in the history of the World, The Swedish Empire would have to be one of the dopiest empires. It blows my mind how a Scandinavian country with limited man power and resources could dominate the battlefield and even rival the Great Russian empire. Its crazy to think how they could have become a super power.

interesting fact: later, during this war, young Maurice de Saxe joined the Russian army. So, you can see, how the French army under his command used such Poltava and Lesnaya redoubs in the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745.

A deeply salutory lesson in not making decisions based on ego. Always take an even moderately advantageous peace. Charles could have been a great king if he didn't treat warfare like a game.

This is so subpar! The skirmish of Holowczyn "decisive victory", while the battle of Lesnaya (where the Swedes lost nearly half of their force) is all but glossed over. But, yes, I have chuckled over the Mazepa tale. Is this one of those alt history sites?

Feel sorry for the sweden soldiers. Such brave soldiers

"Media Offline" picture at 14:24

charles learning the lesson the Napoleon and hitler would later learn, no matter how well you're doing in the war never attack russia in the winter.

If only Napoleon had learned from Sweden's mistakes, when he invaded Russia 🤔

I really love this channel, and I think it's really brave of you to tackle the Great Northern War, being the first ones to do so in this manner (as far as I'm aware). I'm so happy for that. As I - and probably you too - expected, being the first ones to do the walk will not come without a few bumps on the road (and that's why you earn my respect). I've done a list of - what I think - are inaccuracies; although, some might just depend on differences in sources. Prelude: 5:13 Charles defeated 1-2,000 Russians just outside Grodno; Peter reportedly escaped the town on one side as Charles simultaneously entered it on the other (not three days after). 6:05 Why would they have to agree on whether or not the war should be continued with Sweden? Did they have the authority to make peace against Peter's wishes? 6:12 Was it really 32,000? The sources I've seen says roughly 12,000. 7:26 The Battle of Holowczyn was by no means a "Decisive victory". 9:20 In reality, Charles XII was already on his way over the Desna river as Baturyn surrendered; I think you're mixing the three calendars up - Julian, Swedish, and Gregorian 9:55 The Battle of Lesnaya was fought on 9 October (which is not late in the month); this happened before the Sack of Baturyn, at 9:20. 10:15 Lewenhaupt's army arrived to Charles's camp 21-23 October; before the Sack of Baturyn. 10:35 "Nowhere near as many as the Swedes" that's very dubious considering the fact that the Russian army was bigger. 11:27 Stanislaw's Polish forces had suffered a devastating defeat at the Battle of Koniecpol, which I think is worth mentioning here. 12:42 17 June according to the Swedish calendar, 27 June according to the Gregorian; be careful with the three different calendars (the Swedish one disappears in 1712, so be aware of that too). Battle: 13:53 Those Poles were actually part of the Swedish army; similar to how Carl Ducker's dragoon regiment, which was raised in Prussia, was also part of the Swedish army. 14:24 I don't know if this is what you imply, but the Russian army was not a "peasant mob" at the time of Narva. Also, the Swedish army had likewise improved (as often occurs during war). 15:16 Did you say "the ninth of July seventh"? I guess "night", right? Anyway, you're using the Gregorian calendar here - again - which is confusing since you used the Swedish one at 12:42 15:18 Charles XII was not left behind out in no man's land on a litter for the Cossacks and Calmucks to kill, he obviously followed the Swedish army in the attack. 16:05 In reality, the Swedish cavalry attacked the Russian dragoons by the redoubts, forcing them away. 16:09 The Swedish plan was not to take all the redoubts but merely to break through the line (seizing only the necessary redoubts in the process). 16:32 It was the Swedish cavalry that were pursuing the Russian dragoons, not the infantry.. 16:45 Charles XII didn't watch the battle from afar, he was with the army at this time. 16:54 The Russians brought reinforcements from their fortified camp, intercepting Roos' isolated contingent. 17:13 The Swedes were hardly in a position to attack the Russian camp at this moment; they were still forming up (they counter-attacked when noticing the Russian advance). 17:29 The Russian line was even wider than that (or the Swedish one narrower); several Russian regiments stood further out on both flanks. 17:51 I'm not sure the Swedes stopped to unleash "several musket volleys" as portrayed; according to their doctrine, each soldier only fired once during an attack (with exceptions of course). 18:15 The right wing of the Swedish infantry not only reached, but also forced some of the battalions from the 1st Russian line back, capturing several guns in the process. 18:20 The Russian artillery-fire halted the Swedish left-wing attack, while their infantry started enveloping their flank (the Swedes had success on the right, but were failing on the left). 18:22 The Swedish cavalry didn't retreat at this point: The right wing attacked the left Russian infantry-wing; the left wing - although unsuccessful - tried to support the Swedish left-wing infantry. 18:26 In reality, Torstenson launched a cavalry attack on the Russians; you're not portraying any Swedish cavalry fighting at this moment. 18:35 The Swedish cavalry tried to halt the Russian onslaught, they didn't just abandon the infantry. 18:43 Which implies that Charles was with the army. Otherwise, keep up the good work!

Swedes were too bold for their own good.

FINALLY. I was starting to think you'd forgotten this series with all the other stuff you have going on 😝

Its Karl XII and not Charles ffs !

Sabaton has entered the chat

I have resolved never to start an unjust war but never to end a legitimate one except by defeating my enemies", which is pretty much old-school talk for, "I don't start shit. I end it." (Badassoftheweek article of Charles XII)

You Swedish, you remind me Thermopyles battle, you fought like Spartans with out fear. I respect you. Hello from Greece 😎😉🇬🇷👍👍👍

Those Brave... Honorable, Souls... Duty-bound until the very End..... 🇸🇪🏅

You always publish the best and informative videos, your awesome, keep doing what your doing, your great at it!

Iam starting to think that Russians really have plot armor cause the amount of the coldest recorded winters hitting during war time is just ridicilous

as a swedish person, this is some fairly recent history (which you make awesome) but i've not heard of these battles in school :O !

RODE TO CERTAIN DEATH AND PAIN SWEDISH SOLDIERS MET THEIR BANE SACRIFICE THEIR LIVES IN VAIN POLTAVA!!!

Fun fact - Charles was a Gemini. And so was Peter the Great

Sabaton brought ne here

Charles XII was like Hannibal: won almost all of his battles but lost the war.. Poor infantry killed but the cavalry ran away....

Charles xii is an 18th century john Wayne

Siempre me encantó la fascinante historia de Carl XII y me da algo de lástima su triste final , pero tuvo todo para Realmente ser el Alejandro Magno del norte.

Charging an enemy with guns without artillery support when outnumbered sounds desperate.

Its the battle we've all been waiting for.

Там довольно простая задумка Лагерь русских расположен над пропастью. План был такой: на рассвете когда все еще спят скинуть еще сонную армию русских в эту пропасть. Шведы прошли там где по данным разведки не было русских. Но перед сражением русская армия строила еще 2 редута, ночью, строители заметили армию щведов. Эфект внезапности был утерян. А по поводу того что 80к vs 20k это уже сказки. Часть русской армии была на додходе и не успела прийти на битву. Другая часть необученные крестьяне, для строительства укреплений. И только кадровые обученные военные встретили шведов лицом к лицу на поле битвы. Кроме того часть русского войска прикрывала тылы и не участвовала в сражении.

This video has just been made mandatory for all Danes to watch

Они как в покер играют, один ставку повышает с плохими картами, другой тузы прикупил

17:35 this is the saddest death march ive seen, when you look at the differences.....

No, I will not play Empire TW or Napoleon again.

Peter Englund's book _Poltava_ depicts the battle very well.

Crazy guy blinded by his own supremecy :) and at the end a big Fall

Poor charles and his brave men…