First Russo-Kazan war (1437–1445)

The First Russo-Kazan War was a series of conflicts between the Grand Duchy of Moscow and the Kazan Khanate, a newly formed Tatar state that emerged from the disintegration of the Golden Horde. The war primarily revolved around Moscow's attempts to exert influence over the Kazan Khanate and extract tribute, as well as Kazan's efforts to assert its independence and engage in raiding.

The conflict began in 1437, shortly after Ulugh Muhammad established himself as Khan of Kazan, challenging Moscow's authority in the region. Initial skirmishes and raids escalated into larger campaigns. While details of individual battles are often scarce and sometimes disputed across historical sources, the overall narrative involves a pattern of Muscovite offensives followed by Tatar raids into Muscovite territories.

A significant event during the war was the Battle of Belyov in 1437 (or 1437–1438 depending on sources), where Muscovite forces were decisively defeated by Ulugh Muhammad's army. This defeat demonstrated the strength of the newly formed Kazan Khanate and severely weakened Moscow's position.

The war continued with varying degrees of intensity for several years. In 1445, Ulugh Muhammad launched a major offensive into Muscovite territory, culminating in the Battle of Suzdal. In this battle, the Kazan forces again triumphed, capturing Grand Prince Vasily II of Moscow.

Vasily II was eventually released after paying a large ransom, which imposed a heavy burden on the Muscovite treasury and further weakened his authority. The war concluded without a clear victor. While Moscow was forced to pay tribute to Kazan and acknowledge its independence, the conflict highlighted the growing power of the Kazan Khanate and set the stage for future Russo-Kazan wars. The First Russo-Kazan War demonstrated the precarious balance of power in the region and the ongoing struggle for dominance between Moscow and its eastern neighbors.