# Smolensk taken, Orsha lost (1514)

URL: https://history-russia.com/timeline/1514-smolensk-taken-orsha-lost
Categories: battle

In July 1514 Vasily III captured Smolensk after a siege. On 8 September a Polish-Lithuanian army defeated the Muscovites at Orsha, but Smolensk remained in Russian hands. The truce of 1522 confirmed Russian possession of Smolensk. Smolensk became a key western fortress of Russia.

## Why it matters
Smolensk became a key western fortress of Russia.

Ruler at the time: [Vasily III](https://history-russia.com/rulers/vasily-iii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Battle of Orsha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Orsha)
- [Wikipedia — Smolensk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smolensk)
- [Wikipedia — Grand Principality of Moscow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Principality_of_Moscow)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Smolensk taken, Orsha lost](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Smolensk+taken%2C+Orsha+lost)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of Russian history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Russian_history)