Dmytro Vyshnevetsky Дмитро Вишневе́цький |
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Personal details | |
Born | 1516 Vyshnivets |
Died | 1563 Constantinople |
Religion | Eastern Orthodox |
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Dmytro Ivanovych Vyshnevetsky (Ukrainian: Дмитро Іванович Вишневе́цький; Russian: Дмитрий Иванович Вишневе́цкий; Polish: Dymitr Wiśniowiecki) was a Hetman of the Ukrainian Cossacks. He was also known as Baida in the Ukrainian folk songs.
Dmytro Vyshnevetsky was born into the powerful family of Ruthenian magnate Ivan Wiśniowiecki (?-1542) (part of Gediminids bloodline and the youngest son of Michal Zbaraski) and Anastasia Semenivna Olizarovychevna (?-1536). The Wiśniowiecki family takes its roots from the princely family of Novhorod-Siverskyi, through Dmitriy Korybut (see Kaributas) and Anastasia of Ryazan.
At first Dmytro Vyshnevetsky lived in the town of Vyshnivets of the Kremenets Powiat (county). In 1550–1553, Vyshnevetsky became a starosta of the Cherkasy and the Kaniv Powiats. He was the first true Cossack Hetman in history.
Dmytro Baida Vyshnevetsky was an able leader, although somewhat of a reckless adventurer. He started organizing a Cossack army in 1550 against the Crimean Khanate. Displeased with the king Sigismund II Augustus's policy of Catholization and centralization of power, he was ready to go over to the Turks. However, he was appointed to fortify the island of Mala Khortytsia on the Dnipro beyond the rapids. According to Hrushevsky, Vyshnevetsky built the fortress out of his own pocket as both Sigismund II Augustus and Devlet I Giray refused to provide any assistance. Eventually he managed to develop it to the point that khan Devlet I Giray could not take it, and he deflected the khan's efforts to Moskovia.