# Crimean Campaign (1667)

The Crimean Campaign took place between the Crimean forces and the Zaporozhian Cossacks, during the Zaporozhian Cossack campaign into Crimea organised by Ivan Sirko, in October 1667.

## Prelude

Ivan Sirko was in disagreement with Sich Cossacks, but returned to Sich to plan his campaign and gather Cossacks for it. It was easy for Sirko to get in conflict with Sich Cossacks, but just as easy to get along afterwards. Sirko promised to Cossacks that they will return what was "stolen from our own people" and they will take revenge for the devastation caused by Tatar raids on their lands. Sirko saw this as a perfect opportunity for devastating Crimea while the large portion of Tatar army was busy with assisting Doroshenko in his war with Poland-Lithuania.

## Campaign

Ivan Sirko and Ivan Zhdan-Rih went to Crimea with their Cossacks. They captured Perekop, looted it and burned it down. After this, Sirko and Zhdan split into 2 groups, with 2,000 Cossacks in each group. Zhadan went to the West of Crimea, while Sirko went to the East. Zhadan devastated the West, while Sirko devastated the East and headed to Kaffa, where Shirin Bey lived. Sirko devastated Kaffa and Shirin Bey's lands.
Khan Adil Giray was in panic and fled to Anatolia. Tatars were also in panic, fleeing from their settlements to the mountains in hopes of escaping the Cossack wrath. However, Cossacks didn't head to Bakhchysarai, they potentially risked getting their path blocked out of Crimea by the Tatar reinforcements or Tatar allies, while Cossacks would be too deep in Crimea to be able to get out on time.
Cossacks were leaving Crimea with loot and captives, reaching Perekop. However, Khan Adil Giray reorganized with his Tatar army and entered into battle with Sirko's Cossack army. Tatar army suffered a crushing defeat, and Khan was again forced to flee. Tatar commanders Chimasov, Yenakay-Atamesh, and others were captured. Tatar commander Alib-Girey-Saltan deserted in panic. Cossacks killed over 5,000 Tatar troops and captured over 500 during the campaign. After the devastation of Tatar settlements, Cossacks returned to the Sich.

## Massacres and captives

Cossacks severely plundered Crimea, especially in the North, where Cossacks left "nothing but cats and dogs". Cossack looting was accompanied by massacres of Tatar civilians, which reportedly left no one alive in Arbautuk and Tatars in other settlements who didn't flee to the mountains. Cossacks took several thousand Tatar men captive. The exact amount of victims is unknown, but Cossacks are believed to have killed 2,000 Tatar civilians, capturing 1,500 Tatar women and children in Kaffa alone. Among the captured were Shirin Bey's 7-year-old son and mother. Cossacks freed 2,000 Rus' captives from Kaffa.

## Aftermath and impact

Sirko's campaign into Crimea had a crucial role in outcome of the Battle of Podhajce. Tatars who were assisting Doroshenko during the siege received the news about Cossack devastation of Crimea, abandoning Doroshenko and departing to Crimea as a result. Cossacks defeated Tatar reinforcements at Perekop and returned to the Sich. Tsar Alexis wrote a letter of commendation to Ataman Sirko for his victory over Tatars, given to Sirko by captain Vasyl Sukhorukov.