Part 4/9:
The Russian army adopted a scorched earth strategy, destroying crops and villages to deprive invaders of resources. Combined with adverse weather conditions—muddy roads and early frosts—these tactics stretched Swedish supply lines perilously thin.
General Adam Ludvig Levvenh was tasked with bringing reinforcements, but suffered heavy losses due to persistent Russian ambushes. By late 1708, with winter approaching and supplies depleting, Charles made the fateful decision to divert towards Ukraine to gather provisions.
Though Levvenh’s army eventually joined up with Charles, they brought fewer troops and little in the way of resources. This grim reality set the stage for a disastrous confrontation with Peter the Great at the Battle of Poltava.