The Battle of Klushino, or the Battle of Kłuszyn, was fought on 4 July 1610, between forces of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Tsardom of Russia during the Polish–Russian War, part of Russia's Time of Troubles. The battle occurred near the village of Klushino () near Smolensk (Polish: Smoleńsk). In the battle the outnumbered Polish-Lithuanian force secured a decisive victory over Russia, due to the tactical competence of hetman Stanisław Żółkiewski and the military prowess of Polish hussars, the elite of the army of the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland. The battle is remembered as one of the greatest triumphs of the Polish cavalry and an example of excellence and supremacy of the Polish military at the time.

Background

In 1610, in response to the Polish-Lithuanian advance on Russia, Russia and Sweden formed an alliance, and launched an operation known as the De la Gardie Campaign. Other estimate give 5,000 for Shuisky army and 400 for Poles.

Further reading

  • Robert Sześniak, "Kłuszyn 1610", Warszawa 2004,
  • Winged Hussars, Radoslaw Sikora, Bartosz Musialowicz, BUM Magazine, 2016.
  • Radoslaw Sikora, Battle of Kłuszyn (Kluszino)
  • Battle of Klushino Silver Coin Issued by Mint of Poland
  • Maps: [https://web.archive.org/web/20120418011046/http://napoleonistyka.atspace.com/kluszyn_battle.gif], [https://archive.today/20130416102648/http://www.radoslawsikora.republika.pl/materialy/battlefields/Kluszyn1610/Kluszynmap.jpg], [http://www.husaria.jest.pl/klusmap1.jpg]