Battle of the Samara River

In 1502, Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II wanted to bring the Principality of Moldavia under full control. The Sultan wanted to avoid direct conflict and instead requested for Khan Sheikh Ahmed to attack and occupy southern Moldavia. Khan Ahmed agreed to attack, in exchange for a promise of Ottoman military support of 40,000 troops. Bayezid II believed that "we ourselves would be able to advance unhindered to all parts of the world" if the Tatars of Great Horde defeated Moldavians. Khan Sheikh Ahmed dispatched the armies led by his sons Bagatır-saltan, Hoziak-saltan and Enai-saltan against the Crimean Khanate and to southern Russia. For this reason, Stephen III negotiated with Crimean Khan Meñli I Giray to coordinate their defense, in the case of Great Horde Tatars trying to cross the Dnieper. == Battle ==

In April-May, Crimean Khan Meñli I Giray was on the campaign against the sons of Sheikh Ahmed, while Stephen III was on the right-bank of Desna river with his army. The Golden Horde forces of Sheikh Ahmed arrived to the opposite side of Desna river. Between 3-17 May, Muscovite envoys informed Meñli I Giray with his army about this and Moldavians were ready to strike the Golden Horde once the Crimeans arrive, attacking from the opposite side. The Muscovite army drove out Nogai forces of Musa, but weren't coming to assistance of Crimeans or Moldavians, as informed by Muscovite envoys back in 3 March. The battle begun in early June, as the Crimean Tatars were pursuing Sheikh Ahmed's sons to the same place as Stephen III and Sheikh Ahmed were located. The battle concluded on 28 June, leading to encirclement and destruction of majority of the Golden Horde army, with Khan Ahmed managing to flee with only 4,000 horsemen and two of his brothers. == Aftermath ==

On 10 June 1502, Crimean Khan Meñli I Giray sacked the capital of the Great Horde, Sarai. The defeat of the Golden Horde at Samara had proven to be catastrophic to its continued existence, marking the final blow. In 1504, Sheikh Ahmed went to the Dnieper and attempted to contact Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II, but he was sent back by the Sultan. Meñli I Giray pursued Sheik Ahmed, which prompted him to surrender to the voivode of Kiev in hopes of escaping Crimean Tatars. However, Ahmed was subsequently executed by the Lithuanian authorities, at the request of Crimean Khan Meñli I Giray. == References ==