Battle of Polonka

Part of the Polish-Russian War (1658-1667)

Date	June 29, 1660
Location	Polonka, in modern Belarus
Result	Polish-Lithuanian victory

Belligerents

Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

Tsardom of Russia

Commanders and leaders

Stefan Czarniecki
Paweł Jan Sapieha

Ivan Khovansky

Strength

9,000 Lithuanians
4,000 Poles

2 cannons

8,000 - 9,000 troops

Casualties and losses

300 killed
unknown number of wounded

4,200

9,000 Lithuanians
4,000 Poles

The Battle of Polonka (Połonka) took place near Połonka (modern Belarus) during the Polish-Russian War (1658-1667) on June 29, 1660 between Polish-Lithuanian and Russian forces. Polish-Lithuanian army under Stefan Czarniecki and Paweł Jan Sapieha forced a Russian retreat through a carefully planned hussar ambush and several tactically effective flanking maneuvers. The Russian defeat also meant they had to abandon the Siege of Lyakhavichy (Lachowicze).

In late June 1660, after the Treaty of Oliva, a Lithuanian army commanded by Paweł Jan Sapieha attacked Russians, who occupied most of the territory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The Lithuanians were supported by Polish units under Stefan Czarniecki, and their target was to end the siege of Lachowicze. Polish - Lithuanian units, which altogether had 13,000 men and 2 cannons, set off from Słonim. Facing them was a Russian army under Ivan Andreyevich Khovansky (Tararui), who had unknown number of soldiers (some estimates claim 24,000; while some claim only 8,500).

In the morning of June 28, Polish front units, marching towards Baranowicze, crossed the Połonka river, east of the town of Połonka. Here, Poles encountered a Russian unit, and a skirmish began. When main Russian forces arrived, the Poles withdrew behind the river, and Polish - Lithuanian army began preparations for the battle. Poles were placed on the right flank, Lithuanians on the left, while central front was protected by mixed, Polish-Lithuanian units, together with artillery.

First to attack were the Russians, who stormed the Polonka river levee. They were met with a heavy fire of the Polish-Lithuanian dragoons, and then a hussar unit counterattacked, pushing the Russians back to their starting positions. Khovansky then decided to attack Lithuanian flank, using his cavalry. The Lithuanians, however, fiercely resisted the assault, and did not retreat to the river swamp.

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