Skirmish at Mhlyn

Skirmish at Mhlyn
Part of the Polish-Russian War (1654–1667) and The Ruin (Ukrainian history)
Moscow cannons of the 17th century. From the collection of the Artillery Museum in St. Petersburg
Date September 1658 Location Near Mglin, Cossack Hetmanate (now Russia) Result Cossack victory
Belligerents
Cossack Hetmanate	Tsardom of Russia
Commanders and leaders
Ivan Nechay	Andrey Dashkov
Strength
Unknown	4,500
Casualties and losses
Light	Heavy 5 cannons captured

The Skirmish at Mhlyn took place in September of 1658 between the Cossacks of Ivan Nechay that supported the policy of Vyhovsky and the Russian unit of Andrey Dashkov that was advancing to the Lithuanian territory.

Battle

Dashkov's 4,500-strong unit, which was advancing from Belgorod ^[1] or from Pryluky ^[2] on a campaign in Lithuania, was attacked by the Cossacks of Ivan Nechay near Mhlyn, leading to a several days of clashes that ended with a Cossack sucess. ^[1] Dashkov, while not being able to hold the pressure, was forced to retreat to Trubchevsk. ^[2] Nechay captured 5 Russian cannons. ^{[1] [3]}

Aftermath

Soon after the battle, Nechay launched a series of attacks on the Russian garrisons in the cities of White Ruthenia – he captured Novy Bykhaw, Krichev, Mstislavl and Roslavl. In the meanwhile, another Cossack leader Denis Murashka, attempted to capture Minsk with an assault but failed. ^[1] The battle did not affect the course of 1658 campaign in Ukraine as the Russians eventually forced Vyhovsky to pledge his loyalty to them following the Siege of Varva.

References

1. Bulvinsky, A. (2008). Українсько-російські взаємини 1657—1659 рр. в умовах цивілізаційного розмежування на сході Європи. Kyiv. p. 267.
2. "Военные конфликты, кампании и боевые действия русских войск 860–1914 гг". runivers.ru. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
3. Акты Московского государства, изданные Императорской Академией наук. Т. 2: Разрядный приказ. Московский стол, 1635-1659. St. Petersburg. 1894.