Ukrainian War of Liberation Part I

[nalivayko]

Ukrainian War of Liberation - Part I

This AAR is inspired by Oranje Dutch AAR: let's hope I have as much patience as he does to continue mine.
I fixed 1617 scenario to include Ukraine, starting with one province: Kremechug, aka Zaporozh'ye, aka Zaporozhskaya Sich. More or less historic, since Cossacks in Sich were de facto independent since 1550. I added more historic leaders and, since it looks like Ukraine uses Russian random leader names I changed those to Ukrainian names, or Cossack nicknames

Starting stats:
Year 1617
One province: Kremenchug, Sich - city 9000.
A province already has a bailiff, legal counsel and a mayor [reflecting a surprising order existing in Cossack capital]
Capital: 100 ducats
Stability: 3
Army: 15,000 infantry, 25,000 Cossacks (cavalry), 10 guns [historical: Sagaydachniy raised army to 40,000]
Two leaders: Doroshenko (future Hetman, 4/1/4), Sagaydachniy (5/2/4, siege 1) himself.
Land tech matches Polish, naturally. Very poor naval technology.
Ukraine is a vassal of Poland.

I want to tell you, panove, what exactly is our comradeship. You heard from our fathers and grandfathers how honored was our land in the past; it made itself known to Greeks, and Constantinople paid tribute in golden ducats to our Princes; there were prosperous cities, and churches, and Princes, Princes of Russian blood, our Princes, not some Catholic halfwits. All was taken by infidels, all is lost. Only we are left, orphans, and like a widow after an able man, orphan, like us, is our holy land! In this hard time we chose to offer a hand to each other, a hand of comradeship. This is what our comradeship is based on! There are no ties more dear than the ties of comradeship. A father loves his child, a mother loves her child, a child loves his father and mother. But this is not it, brothers: a beast loves his offspring as well. Only a human can experience a kinship by soul, not by blood. There are comrades in other lands, but such, as in Russian land, there are no comrades.

Petro Kanashevich-Sagaydachniy 1617-1622
Stats:7/8/6 (monarch stats were not edited, although I took a liberty to edit the names)

In Year 1617 Petro Sagaydachniy was elected a Hetman of Zaporozhian Cossacks. The Brotherhood wanted him to rise Ukraine against Polish overlords at once, but the sad memory of Kosinsky and Nalivayko failures was too strong. Hetman chooses to keep what’s his for a time being and sets two short-term goals for Sich: to keep Kremenchug and receive a Royal Marriage with Russia. Since it’s impossible to keep Cossacks away from war, he chooses Crimea as a scapegoat.
Army is split in two: Doroshenko – 25,000 cav., Hetman – 15,000 inf, 10 guns.
In July, 1617 Royal Marriage is offered to Russia. It is accepted.
Polish armies move to the northern border.
Austria declares war on Turkey. Both called on their allies. Austria is joined by Bavaria, Spain, Portugal and Wurtemberg. Spain is backed by Oman, Sweden and Hansa.
Denmark smells blood and declares war on Sweden. It is joined by Russia. Swedish allies join as well.
In January,1618, with Turkey having it’s share of troubles elsewhere, Hetman declares war on Crimea. Stability drops by two.
First Crimean War.
30,000-strong Crimean army marches on Sich. By the time it reaches Ukraine it’s reduced to 7,000 inf and 20,000 cavalry. In the following battle the whole Crimean army is annihilated. Ukrainian losses are over 1500 infantry, 3000 cavalry and 3 guns.
Sagaydachniy marches on Crimea. Doroshenko besieges Bessarabia. However, seeing it’s impossible to take the province with cavalry only he joins Sagaydachniy in Crimea, just in time to destroy another 7,000 of enemy infantry. After the battle Doroshenko proceeds with 8,000 Cossacks into Azov, where in a fierce encounter another 5,000 Crimeans are put to death.
Meanwhile, Hetman captures Kherson in Crimea and starts a siege of Kaffa. Khan keeps asking for a white piece, which, understandably, is refused with a little thought given to the matter. Popovich, an average leader, besieges Bessarabia with 8k cav.
In September, 1618 amazing news reach Ukraine: Turkey makes peace with Bavaria, ceding Pest and Croatia. On top of it, four months later it cedes Carpathia to Austria.
Doroshenko is reinforced with 10 guns from Sich and moves to besiege Azov.
February sees a fall of Ochakov in Bessarabia. Doroshenko annihilates another 5,000 Crimeans in Azov. Ukrainian losses are minimal.
Kaffa is captured in the beginning of April. Hetman dispatches a diplomat to Kerch, where the Khan is hiding at the moment. He demands Kaffa and Bessarabia. Khan has no choice but to comply.
Although Ukraine does not have a land access to Kaffa, its capture brings a sense of security to Hetman. From now on Poland, having no access to the Black Sea, cannot occupy all of Ukrainian land without getting involved in the war with Crimea.
One transport is built in Kaffa to enable the transfer of troops to Bessarabia.
In January of 1620 good news reach the Sich: our troops in Kaffa find valuable mineral deposits in few quantities. The total value is 400 ducats. Hetman suspects it is the treasures of the Crimean Khans and there might be a lot more than that, but decides against questioning his troops.
Poland starts expending a fortress in Ukraine. Decision is made to attack before the fortress is finished. However, after reviewing the strength of the Polish alliance (France, Papal States, Tuscany, Parma, Venice), Sagaydachniy decides against it. Still, new troops are recruited, peasants from Ukraine are running to Sich, providing Hetman with cheap infantry. Sagaydachniy arrives from Kaffa and takes a control of the army in Kremenchug. Doroshenko remains in Bessarabia. 7,000 infantry are left to guard Kaffa against possible rebellions.
In June of 1620 Ukraine enters in Royal Marriages with Sweden and Denmark.
Bailiffs are promoted in Kaffa and Bessarabia.
In January of 1621 Russia makes peace with Sweden, receiving Ingermanland as a tribute. Same month Poland starts a further expansion of a fortress in Kiev. At first, Sagaydachniy declares that an attack on Poland will come no later than the end of the year. However, attack is canceled again, a decision is made to wait until Poland gets involved in a military conflict elsewhere.

Olifer Golub 1622-1623
Stats: 4/4/4

This decision costs dearly to Sagaydachniy. In 1622 disappointed Cossacks elect Olifer Golub a new Hetman. A new Hetman declares his first priority to keep Bessarabia an Ukrainian province. Many see in this move a continuation of former Hetman’s policies. A few days later, however, Poland declares a war on Russia. Both call on their allies. Golub sees it an opportunity to improve his position among Cossacks, and orders to start preparations for war.
Turkey accepts peace with Denmark, and gets Finnmark.
Hetman announces that Ukraine will declare a war on Poland by April. However, in March Poland accepts an offer of white peace from Russia. Doroshenko and Sagaydachniy retire their commands. Sagaydachniy leads a raid on Anatolia, where he is captured by Turks. He is tortured to death in Constantinople. Doroshenko opposes Olifer Golub and in January of 1623 he is elected a new Hetman of Zaporozhskaya Sich.

Mykhaylo Doroshenko 1623-1628
Stats: 5/7/5
New Hetman starts with army reforms. A huge amount of 945 ducats, taken from Cossack Treasure Chest in Sich is invested in land technology.
In July of 1624 Sweden finally makes peace with Denmark, obtaining Jamtland.
In January of 1625 Sulyma(3/1/3 siege 1) takes command of the army. Army’s salary is put to 50%.
In August of 1626 Sweden jumps on Courland, probably to compensate itself for the loss of Ingermanland to Russia. All Sweden allies join. Courland is alone.
Bessarabia revolts in September. Revolt is put down without unnecessary brutality. Our army receives serious moral damages. All rebels get away with easy deaths.
In June of 1627, after 10 months of siege Courland is annexed by Sweden.
Cossacks start mumbling about unkept promises and Doroshenko realizes that if he does not lead them to war soon he will not stay a Hetman for too long. He faces the same problem than Sagaydachniy had 10 years ago, and he isn’t able to find a better solution than to attack Crimea again. In July of 1627 the Khan receives an envoy from Sich. Only a fear of Cossack revenge keeps him from slaying a messanger.
Second Crimean War.
In August of 1627 Sulyma and 15,000 Ukrainians (mostly infantry and guns) starts a siege of Crimea. At first there are no enemy to be seen. However, a two months later an army of 25,000 assembles in Kerch and attacks 9,000 Ukrainians in Kaffa. Losing 1500 dead Ukrainian ataman retreats to Crimea. Crimeans loose 3,000. Khan insists on pursuit and Crimean army moves to Crimea. Sulyma decides against lifting a siege.
Ukraine gets a conquistador Shylo (3,0,0). He is put in command of a new recruited army in Sich. Doroshenko dies and Sulyma is elected a Hetman.

Ivan Sulyma 1628 - 1629
Stats: 5/5/5

Kherson falls in January of 1628. Few days later 17,000 Crimeans battle 35,000 Ukrainians under Sulyma. Crimean army is all but annihilated. Ukrainian losses are huge too: 13,000 dead. Morale still suffers from 50% salary rate.
Sulyma moves with 22,000 to Azov, Shylo with 9,000 to Kerch. Kerch besieged.
Azov is taken in September. At this point Sulyma decides to go for annexation of Crimea. Sulyma moves to Kalmyk province and storms the fortress. 5,000 Cossacks are dead, but it’s a better death than the death from attrition. Supply limit in Kalmyk steppes is only 2 for invader. Hetman retreats to Azov, reorganizes his army and then moves onto Kouban.
Many of the Cossacks are still not content with Hetman’s decisions. Many do not wish to fight Crimean Khan and prefer to cross their sabers with Polish shlyahta (nobility). Thus, they elect a new Hetman, Grygoriy Chorniy.

Grygoriy Chorniy 1629 – 1630
Stats: 4/4/4/

Netherlands declare war on France. Savoy, Rome, Parma, Tuscany, Venice and Poland join on the French side. Netherlands are backed by Cologne, Morocco, Hessen and Persia.
In May of 1629 Mughal Empire declares a war on Holland.
The news are met with some interest in Sich. Every war a Poland becomes involved into is welcomed by Cossacks. However, the theater of war is too distant from Poland. Polish armies are still not on the move and there is a little chance they will take a direct part in this war.
In June Sulyma, not a bit disappointed by Chorniy becoming a Hetman, captures Kouban and proceeds to besiege Azerbaijan. It is taken in January of 1630. The following months are spent chasing the remains of Crimean army across the southern steppes. Reinforcements are called from Azov and Sich. Timofey Ondarenko succeeds Chorniy and becomes a Hetman.

Timofey Ondarenko 1630 – 1631
Stats: 4/4/4

Shylo finally is able to take Kerch in October and in December the last province of the Crimean Khanate falls to Sulyma. Achieving control of all Crimean provinces Ondarenko proceeds to annex Crimea. Crimean Navy in Azov sea accepts inevitable and raises black flag of Ukrainian Hetmans.

Cossacks now control 10 provinces and 8 of them are Muslim. The tolerance is set high for both Orthodox and Muslims. Protestants receive third priority. Sweden needs to be kept a friend, especially since Turkey is in its alliance.
Throughout the land the voices are heard that Catholics have done more harm to Ukraine than Muslims could have ever managed to do. Not to overlook the fact that Polish still has a hold of all Ukrainian provinces save Kremenchug.

Ukrainian land forces in 1630 stand at: 15,468 infantry, 12,568 Cossacks, 51 guns.
Navy: 2 warships, 1 transport.

to be continued...

Sceenshots are comings in second part

[Pomerania Prince]

very good! I like it. Plz continue.

[nalivayko]

Thanks, I will for sure, I have enough material right now for the second part. However, I need more time to go through all these notes. Tomorrow I'll have it up with screenshots

[Fritz]

I'll second the praise.
So far great story, well written and interesting.

[Crook]

Good job. One thing though.
---------------------------
Quote:
Doroshenko (future Hetman, 4/1/4), Sagaydachniy (5/2/4, siege 1)
---------------------------------

I think your leaders are way too strong. Maneuvre of 5 is equivalent of being a genius, and so does siege rating higher than 0. I would change them to more realistic 4/1/3/0
or even 4/1/2/0. Do you really think that they were so much better than Polish and Crimean (and Russian) generals?

Crook

[nalivayko]

I agree, that numbers may be a bit high, but again, they may be not. I used the stats of Khmelnitsky and Mazepa as a starting point. People still sing songs about Doroshenko and Sagaydachniy,while I haven't heard a single one about Khmelnitsky. Sagaydachniy, for example, was a well known commander, who made raids to Turkish Anatolia, captured several cities over there. One has to rememeber that Cossacks would cross the Black Sea not by using warships or transport ships, but by employing small boats called 'chayka'. They obviously coudn't take siege equipment with them (as if they had too much of it in Ukraine). In my opinion, a man who captures cities on a raid like this deserves to have 1 siege value. He was made a member of Antiturkish Christian Militia in Central Europe, which hints at his recognition abroad. Doroshenko's a similar case.
Now to the main question: do I think Ukrainian generals were better than Polish or others? I don't know. I'd like to say 'yes', but that would be just an opinion. One thing I do know for sure, though. Ukraine, from 1550 and on, had a lot of good military commanders. Cossacks were constantly at war with one foe or another. They are described as a religios military order by some historians. Khmelnitsky was not the first one to rise against Poles. There were rebellions long before him, and they all enjoyed some success in the beginning. That speaks for, at least, decent leadership. Many Cossack leaders served under Polish flag at one time or the other. That implies sharing of expirience. Many Polish successes wouldn't be if not for the Cossack help (Sobieski arrived at Vienna with plenty of Zaporozhian Cossacks to back him up).
In short, since Ukranian default leaders have such low stats, and since they don't have as many historical leaders added as major nations, even though they performed adequately against Turkey, Poland and Russia (Dutch too, it's a historic fact Lous IV had Cossack mercinaries employed against Dutch) I felt like I could give my two Cossack leaders decent stats to make it more or less historic.

[nalivayko]

Ukrainian War of Liberation - Part II


Ivan Petrazhytsky-Kulaga 1631-1632
Stats: 4/4/4

After the conquest of Crimea the yearly income rises to 51 ducats. The reign of Ivan Kulaga will mirror the following decade. All the time and resources are spent putting down rebellions and converting Muslim provinces.
In April Polish move 12,000 troops to Ukrainian Bessarabia. Still being a vassal of Poland Ukraine is unable to do a single thing about it. The discontent against Cossacks rises again when Hetman starts recruiting Tatars. In January 1632 Andriy Didenko is elected a new Hetman.

Andriy Didenko 1632-
Stats: 4/4/4

Polish are building more troops in Poltava to reinforce their army in Bessarabia. Needless to say, they suffer heavily from attrition since the population there is under strict orders to provide as little of food as possible. Turkish armies are spotted against the border in Bujak. Wise heads sense a beginning of a conflict, which may greatly benefit a new Ukrainian state. Ordinary Cossacks want to raid both Poland and Turkey in the same time. Didenko decides to hold on to what’s his, mainly Azerbajan, due to its strategic location near Armenian gold mines. Rebel Scum is on the move around the country, colonists from Ukraine convert Muslims in the southern steppes.
Suddenly, in September of 1632, Sich receives news, which are met with songs and gunshots. A day long awaited by Hetmans. Poland, feeling secure in its alliance with France and Italian states, declares war on Sweden. Her allies join in immediately, while Sweden calls on Turkey, Hansa and Oman. 8 days this escalates on a greater scale as Russia and Denmark use this opportunity to declare war on Sweden. Sweden’s misfortunes are not over yet, as in November, English alliance (England, Scotland, Spain and Portugal) backstabs Sweden too. Turks start their march through Podolia, huge Polish armies are on the move towards Courland, which appears to be primary Polish objective.
Samiylo Sulyma gets elected a new Hetman.

After the submission of Tatars Cossacks, content with themselves and life, celebrated on a scale, which may only be understood by those who ever visited Russian lands. There was hardly a man in Sich who could clearly speak, let alone think. But it only took the words of a messenger from Western Ukraine to sober them up in a matter of minutes. A ferry brought him against the river, and he immediately called up Rada (the Council) and asked them for permission to speak.
- Haven’t you heard, panove, what happens in Ukrayna, while you here are busy with gorilka? Or maybe these battles with Tatars made all of you blind and deaf? For the time has come in Ukrayna, that our churches are no longer ours, but rented by Jews. And if you don’t pay a Jew on time the services stop! And Polish shlyahta rides now in carriages around Ukraine, and it wouldn’t be bad if they rode them carriages, but they use true Christians instead of horses. And Jewish women make themselves skirts from clergy’s cloth. And you sit here in Sich, and celebrate, and it appears to me that Poles put so much fear in you that you can distinguish between saber and shovel.
All Cossacks rose like one demanded from Hetman to lead them against Poles. And Hetman swore on his saber that he would bring war to Poland, and avenge the sufferings of all Orthodox in Ukraine. And he would not be alone, but the whole steppe would rise against Polish oppressors.

Samiylo Sulyma 1633-1635
Stats: 4/5/4

New army is built in Azov against future rebellions. Sulyma (Ivan, ex-hetman) concentrates his forces in Bessarabia: 17, 741 peasant infantry, 4,863 Cossack and Tatar cavalry, 51 guns. Shylo, conquistador, prepares an attack in Kremenchug with 10,000 infantry, and 7,000 Cossacks.
In February of 1633, after winning a battle in Mozyr, greatly reduced Turkish army starts a siege in Pripet’. More Turkish troops march through Chernigov. Poland brings up to 80,000 troops for the siege of Courland. Russians are trying to storm Estonia.
First Polish War – War of Independence
In March 1633 war is declared on Poland. Poland calls on her allies and they all join. It is going be Ukraine alone against Poland, France, Tuscany, Parma, Papal States and Venice. A war of independence brings a Catholic crusade against Orthodoxy. These dreary news are followed by Dutch declaration of war on Portugal and English alliance respectively. It will take some pressure of Sweden. The war became truly total. No area of Europe is left untouched.
In April Sweden invites Ukraine to her alliance. New Hetman has no doubts. Not only Sweden is always the first country to recognize Ukraine as a sovereign state, but also her main ally is Turkey, and it’s nice to know Ukrainian borders are safe from the south. Ukraine is a winner already, no matter what turn the war takes. It will no longer be Polish vassal, and it is now a part of a mighty alliance, which is thankfully hostile to both Poland and Russia – two possible areas of expansion.
The war rolls on. Sulyma besieges Kiev, while Shylo tries to take Poltava.
In July huge Italian armies are spotted in Hungary. Some are obviously heading for Ukraine. Venice fleet of 3 warships makes its presence in Sea of Azov. Hetman sees no glory or benefit in challenging it, so Ukrainian warships remain in the port of Sevastopol.
One Italian army camps in Turkish Wallachia. Tucsonan troops battle Turks in Moldova.
12,000 troops belonging to Parma and Rome defeat 4,000 Turkish army in Bujak.
In August, patrols in Bessarabia spot 19,000 Roman troops in Podolia. In September they start a siege of Bessarabia. It is soon reinforced by some 40,000 Poles. They suffer heavily from attrition, but city defenders tell Hetman that they cannot last for too long without support from outside.
In December Kerch seizes an opportunity and revolts. Bessarabia falls shortly after. This marks a turning point of the war. Couple of days later Ukraine accepts white peace with Venice and Parma. They must feel they cannot do us any harm, with Turkish armies being so close to the theatre of operations. Turks capture Pripet. On December 26, Kiev falls to Sulyma. Polish and Romans march back to Podolia. Sulyma retreats to Sich, trying to avoid a battle. Due to this maneuver, he manages to take control of 45,000-strong army in Kremenchug right before the suicidal Roman attack on Sich. Papal army, 10,000 strong looses nine men out of ten, and retreats to Bessarabia. Sulyma follows them and starts a siege of Ochakov. Shylo gives up on trying to capture Poltava and marches on rebels in Kerch, picking up new recruits along the way. In June his 10,000 peasants and 6,000 Cossacks completely annihilate rebel army in Kerch. Papal States and Savoy choose this moment to offer white peace. Hetman graciously accepts. Shortly after Bessarabia falls.
Sulyma splits his army again. With 15,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 50 guns he marches on Poltava. The rest is left as a reserve in Sich, while Shylo tries to capture Donetsk. There he learns of a revolt in Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Polish liberate Pripet, and Turks manage to wipe off the remains of Italian armies in Hungary. Courland falls too, and these news are met with grave silence in Sich. This mean Poland has now free troops to move to its southern border. The decision is made to make peace as soon as possible. The capture of more remains becomes of the outmost importance.
Revolt is suppressed in Azerbaijan, however Crimea takes its turn and fields some 11,000-strong rebel army. Shylo retreats from Donetsk and cuts it down like grass.
For his recent successes against Poles Ivan Sulyma is re-elected as Hetman. Kouban celebrates his election with yet another rebellion.

Ivan Sulyma 1635-1636
Stats: 5/5/5

February sees the fall of Poltava. The joy of this event is suppressed by the toll the winter took on Sulyma’s army. From 22,000 who went with him to Poltava, only 12,000 return back to Sich. Peace is offered to Poland demanding Kiev. Poland rejects it without thinking. Outraged, Sulyma marches on Donetsk.
In July of 1635, Sweden accepts white peace with Russia. Truly good news. Netherlands accepts peace with Spain alone.
In October of 1635 the sad news reach Sich. The defenders of Donetsk organize a desperate attack. It catches Ukrainian army completely by surprise. Only Hetman keeps his head and manages to stop the attack. The cost of this, however, is too high. This feat costs Hetman his life. All Ukraine mourns the death of this famous Cossack.
Shylo marches to replace him in Donetsk. He is too late. The coming winter bring high attrition. Horses die by hundreds, people by thousands. In November Azerbaijan revolts again, and there are no forces to dispatch there. In January, Vassyl Tomylenko is elected a Hetman. He faces a task of ending this war before too late and on favorite terms. Many wonder if he is up to the challenge.

Vassyl Tomylenko 1636-1637
Stats: 4/4/4

Sweden concludes peace with Poland. Poland pays 250 ducats in indemnities. While this troubles Hetman some he is soon inspired with the generous gift of Ukrainian traders. Since Black ports were open for Ukrainian merchants they felt they should reward Cossackdom with 400 ducats. Their gift couldn’t come in a better time.
In March Shylo, failing to take Donetsk, marches to Azerbaijan to take his frustration out on poor rebels. While he’s gone Poland besieges Bessarabia. However, her army is too pathetic to impress Hetman. Obviously, it has the same effect on Polish king, for in March he offers Ukraine peace and Poltava. Hetman gladly accepts for the war started to drain the last resources of the state.

Ukraine came a winner from this war. It achieved an independence from Poland, entered a great alliance of Sweden, Turkey, Hansa and Oman, and captured Poltava, its rightful province. Many brave Cossacks died, but many more were coming under Hetman banners. Among newcomers there were not only Ukrainians but many converted Tatars as well, for the years between 1637 and 1650 saw all but one province converted to Orthodoxy. It was not a peaceful process, and this page would be one of the bloodiest in the history of a new state. Persecutions of Muslims took place on a daily basis. Fear and sword were the main ally of an Orthodox priest. Many doubted wisdom of it, but a crusade against Islam swept through the country as swiftly as a Cossack saber.
It is needless to describe all the battles of these campaigns. All this is recorded in chronicles. It is known what is the war for faith in Russian land: there is no force stronger than faith. Invincible and terrible is this force, like a rock among vigorous, ever-changing sea. From the very bottom of the sea it raises its unbreakable walls, all created from one solid stone. Nothing but sorrow awaits the ships that dare to sail to it.

Hetmans Dmytro Gunya, Karpo Pivtorakazhukha, and Maksym Gulyak-Nulyuk, they all can claim the credit for the conversion of Tatar Crimeans. While this process goes on, Europe still tries to re-cover from the war it indulged in 1631. Peace treaties are made, some with very curios results. Turkey gets Finnmark from Denmark and one Irish province from England. Dutch get another Irish piece of land. France annexes Helvetia, but fails to defeat Lorraine, its primary target. England conquers Eastern Pommerania from Hansa. Poland leaves French alliance and joins Russian alliance, which becomes to our alliance an enemy number one. During those years Ukrainian merchants go to Moscow, Venice, Istanbul, Anglia and France. They bring back modest profit, but it is more than enough for our small state. And in 1648 Bogdan Khmenlnitsky is elected a Hetman, which opens a new chapter in a history of Ukraine.