Scientists talked about the impact of the anomalous winter of 1480 on the course of Russian history

The abnormal climatic conditions of the winter of 1480 prevented the military campaign of the master of the Livonian Order Bernd von der Borch to seize Pskov lands, which allowed the inhabitants of the region to defend their independence. This was reported on October 15 by Gazeta.Ru" with reference to the Archaeological Center of Pskov State University.

"Previously, scientists were not sure that the abnormal winter of 1480 prevented the Livonian Order from capturing Pskov. However, the study of the chronicles helped to identify a pattern. The harsh winters of 1322, 1323, 1341, and the sudden frosts of 1436 coincide with attacks on Pskov fishing settlements," the publication says.

Due to the early appearance of ice, the Livonians were able to strike as early as January 1, 1480, and take Vyshgorodok. However, the magister's forces later withdrew from the city due to a sudden thaw that made the roads impassable. The invaders planned to assemble the main forces on January 26 at the Livonian Neuhausen fortress, but subsequently the decisive date was postponed three times — on February 6, 15 and 20.

The long wait made it impossible to take advantage of the surprise factor, and at the same time gave Pskov residents the opportunity to regain their strength and respond.

"The success of the Pskovites forced the Livonians to postpone the offensive for another week. As a result, the Livonians completed the winter campaign. The result did not match the costs," the historians noted.

The following spring, the Pskov residents were able to take revenge and began active operations on Lake Peipsi. In this they were helped by the superiority in the number of ships. The Livonians themselves spoke about the impossibility of resisting such a fleet in their correspondence.

In 2023, German Artamonov, professor of the Department of Modern Russian History at Moscow State University, told Izvestia about the importance of victory in the Ice Battle for Russia. He recalled that the battle was preceded by a period of terrible devastation of Ancient Russia from the Batu invasion. The devastation affected the territories of Russia throughout its borders from the Black to the Baltic Seas and from the Danube to the Ural Mountains.

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