Battle of the Neva
| date | 1240 |
|---|---|
| place | on the Neva , Russia |
| output | Victory of the Novgorodians |
| Parties to the conflict | |
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Sweden with Finns and Norwegians |
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| Commander | |
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The Battle of the Neva ( Russian Невская битва ) occurred on July 15, 1240 on the Neva River between the Swedish army under Birger Jarl and the Druzhina of the Novgorod Republic under Prince Alexander Yaroslavich .
The background of the battle was the weakening of the Rus by the devastating Mongol invasion from 1237 and the resulting desire of Sweden to bring the strategic mouth of the Neva and the city of Old Ladoga under its control, which were the key points on the trade route “from the Varangians to the Greeks ” .
After Alexander had learned of the advance of the Swedes, he led his army along the Volkhov and reached Ladoga before the enemy, where citizens of Ladoga joined his troops. Meanwhile, the Swedes, whose ranks included Norwegians and Finns , advanced to the mouth of the Ischora .
The Russians took advantage of a thick fog and attacked the Swedish camp. The surprise effect was great and the Swedes suffered a heavy defeat, whereupon the remnants of the Swedish army fled. The chronicles report that Alexander Birger Jarl poked out an eye in the course of the battle.
Due to the victory in this battle, in which Alexander showed remarkable leadership and courage, he was later nicknamed Nevsky (from the Neva). The Battle of the Neva repelled the Swedish invasion and secured the Russian-Swedish border for many decades.
Alexander achieved further fame in the Battle of Lake Peipus , which occurred two years later. Coordinates: 59 ° 48 ′ 27 ″ N , 30 ° 36 ′ 15 ″ E