In 1570 the Crimean Tatar horde terribly devastated the Ryazan borderland of Muscovy, not meeting strong resistance. In May, 1571 the 120-thousand Crimean horde, Big and Small Nogai hordes and troups of Circassians bypassed the Serpukhov defensive fortifications on the river Oka, crossed the river Ugra and rounded flank of the 6-thousand Russian army. The sentry troups of Russians have been crushed by Tatars. Not having forces to stop Tatars, Russian army receded to Moscow. The rural Russian population also fleed in capital. Tatars devastated unprotected towns and villages around of Moscow, and then fired to suburbs of capital. Due to a strong wind fire was quickly extended. The townspeople chased by a fire and refugees have rushed to northern gate of capital. In a gate and narrow streets there was a crush, people "went in three lines went on heads one of another, and top pressed those who were under them". The army, having mixed up with refugees, has lost the order, general prince Belsky died in a fire. Within three hours Moscow has burnt out completely. For other day Tatars, having sated with a pillage, left on the Ryazan road in steppe. They have captured in slavery 150 thousand Russians. Contemporaries counted up to 800 thousand victims of Tatar invasion in 1571. Papal ambassador Possevin testified the devastation, he counted in 1580 no more than 30 thousand inhabitants of Moscow, though in 1520 the Moscow population was about 100 thousand. For Crimean Tatar ethos see Crimean Tatars For Crimean Tatar language and alphabet see Crimean Tatar language ... Ryazan (Ряза́нь) is a city in Central Russia federal district, the administrative center of the Ryazan Oblast. ... The term Nogai can refer to more than one thing: Nogai Khan was a Khan of the Golden Horde. ... The term Circassians is term derived from the Turkic Cherkess, and is not the self-designation of any people. ... Serpukhov (Се́рпухов) (population 130,000) is an old Russian town in Moscow region, which is situated at the confluence of the Oka river and the Nara river. ... Oka may refer to: (cars) Oka is the name of a car produced by Lada (named after the river). ... Moscow (Russian: Москва́, Moskva, IPA: (help· info)) is the capital of Russia and the countrys principal political, economic, financial and transportation center, located on the river Moskva. ... Belsky (Russian: Бельский, pl. ... Ryazan (Ряза́нь) is a city in Central Russia federal district, the administrative center of the Ryazan Oblast. ... Antonio Possevino (1534 - 1611) was a papal legate and the first jesuit to visit Moscow. ...

After burning Moscow, the Crimean khan, Devlet-Ghiray, maintained by the Ottoman Empire, has developed the plan of full conquest of the Russian state. The next year the invasion of Tatars has repeated but was repelled during the Battle of Molodi. Khan (sometimes spelled as xan, han, Polish chan) is a title meaning ruler in Mongolian and Turkish. ... Devlet Haci Giray (d. ... Imperial motto (Ottoman Turkish) Devlet-i Ebed-müddet (the Eternal State) The Ottoman Empire at the height of its power (1683) Official language Ottoman Turkish Capital Bursa (1335-1365), Edirne (1365-1453), İstanbul (1453-1922) Imperial anthem Ottoman imperial anthem Sovereigns Padishah of the Osmanli Dynasty Population ca 40... Combatants Crimean Khanate Muscovite Russia Commanders Khan Devlet Ghiray Voyevoda Mikhail Vorotynsky Strength 80,000 Crimean Tatars, 33,000 Turks, 7,000 elite janissaries 60,000 - 70,000 Casualties 100,000 - 115,000 unknown {{{notes}}} The Battle of Molodi (Russian: Молодинская битва) was one of the key battles of Ivan the Terrible...