Siege of Veprik

The Siege of Veprik took place on January 3 to January 17, 1709 during the Swedish invasion of Russia in the Great Northern War. After the unusual cold winter, many troops had died from both armies and Charles XII of Sweden decided to siege the Russian city of Veprik to put pressure on Tsar Peter I of Russia. In the town there was a garrison of about 1,500 men. After the Russian commander Colonel Ferber refused to surrender, Charles XII started a bombardment of the town and later, on 17 January also an assault. After about two hours of intense fighting the Swedes pulled back, unable to capture the town. However, the Russians surrendered on the night to the 18th January and the Swedes could march in by diplomatic. The result of the capture was little, another town had fallen for the Russians but in a strategic view, not much had changed. About 400 Swedes was killed and another 600 wounded. The whole Russian garrison was either killed, captured or wounded. After several days Charles XII burnt down the town.

References

• Bengt Liljegren (2000). Karl XII: En biografi. Lund: Historiska Media. pp. 167.
• Peter From (2007). Katastrofen vid Poltava - Karl XII:s ryska fälttåg 1707-1709. Lund: Historiska Media. pp. 251.