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war1708

1708 battle during the Great Northern War

September 27, 1708

A Swedish victory during the Great Northern War's Ingrian campaign, where a smaller force defeated a larger Russian army near Koporye in 1708.

Quick Facts

Year
1708
Category
war

Key Facts

Date
October 8, 1708
Swedish force size
1,800 men
Russian force size
2,000–3,000 men
Russian casualties
~600 killed
Swedish casualties
~70 killed
Campaign outcome
Swedish evacuation after failing objectives

By the Numbers

81,708
Date
1,800
Swedish force size
2,000
Russian force size
600
Russian casualties

Location

Map of Koporye, RussiaMap of Koporye, RussiaKoporye, Russia

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

During the Great Northern War, Sweden launched the Ingrian campaign to apply pressure on Russian territories in the region. Swedish-Finnish forces under Georg Lybecker advanced into the area, leading to engagements with Russian garrisons and field forces in the vicinity of Koporye.

Event

On October 8, 1708, a Swedish force of 1,800 men under generals Carl Gustaf Armfeldt and Anders Erik Ramsay attacked a Russian force of between 2,000 and 3,000 troops near Koporye. Despite being outnumbered, the Swedes prevailed, killing approximately 600 Russians while suffering only around 70 dead themselves.

Consequence

Although the Battle of Koporye was a tactical Swedish victory, the broader Ingrian campaign failed to achieve its strategic objectives. Commander Georg Lybecker ultimately ordered the evacuation of his Swedish-Finnish army from the region, leaving Russian control over Ingria effectively intact.

Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis

Side A

1 belligerent

Swedish Empire
Peak Mobilized Forces~2K
Estimated Casualties70
Casualty Rate3.9%
Forces vs Casualties ratio
0CasualtiesMobilized
Key Commanders

Carl Gustaf Armfeldt, Anders Erik Ramsay, Georg Lybecker.

Side B

1 belligerent

Russia
Estimated Casualties600
Total Casualties (all sides)
670
Outcome
Swedish victory; Swedish-Finnish army later evacuated after failing campaign objectives

Timeline Context

Timeline around 17081708170517061707170917101711Battle of the Great Northern War in 17081708 battle of the Bashkir Rebellion of 1704–17111708 naval battle in the War of the Spanish SuccessionBattle in the War of the Spanish Succession, fought on 11 July 1708, in Belgium.1708 battle in the Great Northern WarPart of Queen Anne's WarBattle in the war of the Spanish succession in 17081708 Evacuation during the Great Northern Warbattle-of-koporye-1708