Although we may not have learned about this event in Lithuanian school, historians describe it as one of the greatest military victories in Lithuania’s history. The Battle of Orsha took place near Orsha in what is now Belarus on September 8, 1514, between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Grand Duchy of Moscow. The battle was won by the forces of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland under the command of Konstanty Ostrogski, a Grand Hetman of Lithuania. This victory helped to stabilize the situation in the east, and Lithuania consolidated its position as a defense bastion of Western civilization.
Events marking the 508th anniversary of the Battle of Orsha against Moscow were held in Vilnius on September 8, 2022. A march took place in old-town Vilnius and the historical flag was raised over the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. In addition, the Town Hall of Vilnius hosted an international conference to discuss the challenges posed to the region by Moscow’s aggression. Conference participants discussed historical lessons and delved into the challenges posed by Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.
Reports at the conference were read by Oleksiy Arestovych, advisor to the head of the administration of the President of Ukraine, US defense attaché in Lithuania, colonel. Lt. Stefanie Lynn Baugh and prof. Valdas Rakutis, historian, member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.
In the second part of the conference, there was a discussion in which the participants shared insights about the preparation for war, the involvement of citizens in the defense of the country, and how aggressive actions of Russia in Ukraine are seen and understood by other countries.
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Belarusian opposition leader, said in Vilnius on the anniversary that Belarusians fighting for Ukraine know that this fight, their modern-day Battle of Orsha, will determine the fate of Europe. “I know that Belarusian volunteers, fighters in Ukraine also mark this day. Since February, hundreds have joined Belarusian battalions and regiments. For them, the liberation of Ukraine is their battle in Orsha. They know that the outcome of this war will also define the fate of Belarus and entire Europe.” Tikhanovskaya said she would like to see the event held in Orsha, in present-day Belarus.
Historians say the defeat of Moscow’s forces in the battle was followed by a period of respite and peace for the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, when the First Statute of Lithuania was adopted, the Palace of the Grand Dukes was built in Vilnius, books started to be printed, and the ideas of the Renaissance and the Reformation took hold in the country. LRT.lt
