Invasion of Russia
Charles XII crosses the Vistula at the head of the Swedish army during the Russian campaign.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1708 in Sweden
Explore 31 historical events and records for Sweden in 1708.
Historical records for Sweden in 1708
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 31 of 31 unique records.
31Unique records
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22Named events on this page
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13Places on this page
January
Capture of Grodno
Charles XII captures Grodno during the opening phase of the Russian campaign.
Capture of Grodno
Charles XII occupies Grodno while Peter I avoids decisive battle.
Capture of Grodno
Occupies Grodno while Peter avoids decisive battle.
Grodno Winter Quarters
Charles XII uses Grodno as part of his winter position during the Russian campaign.
February
March through Lithuania
Continues the advance through harsh winter conditions.
July
Battle of Holowczyn
Charles XII defeats Sheremetev's Russian forces at Holowczyn and advances toward the Dnieper.
Battle of Holowczyn
Defeats Russian forces and opens the road toward the Dnieper.
Invasion of Russia
The victory at Holowczyn opens the route toward the Dnieper during Charles XII's invasion.
Capture of Mogilev
Charles XII captures Mogilev during the advance toward the Russian heartland.
Capture of Mogilev
Occupies Mogilev during the Russian campaign.
August
Invasion of Ingria
Lybecker leads a Swedish army into Ingria and crosses the Neva from the north.
September
Aftermath of Lesnaya
The defeat of Lewenhaupt's supply army at Lesnaya damages Charles XII's Russian campaign.
Battle of Lesnaya
Loses vital supplies when Lewenhaupt's convoy is defeated.
Battle of Lesnaya
The loss of Lewenhaupt's convoy at Lesnaya leaves Charles XII without the supplies needed for the Moscow campaign.
Battle of Lesnaya
Lewenhaupt's supply army is defeated by Russian forces, depriving Charles XII of vital reinforcements.
Battle of Poltava
His supply column is badly damaged before joining Charles XII.
Invasion of Russia
Charles XII's campaign is weakened after Russian forces destroy Lewenhaupt's supply column at Lesnaya.
Second Army
The second Swedish army carrying supplies and reinforcements is routed at Lesnaya.
Supply Convoy Loss
The loss of the supply convoy at Lesnaya leaves Charles XII short of provisions before the Ukrainian campaign.
Turn toward Ukraine
Turns south after supply problems and scorched earth tactics.
October
Evacuation from Ingria
Lybecker's army is evacuated by sea after the failed Ingria operation, losing many horses and supplies.
Ingria Campaign
Lybecker's campaign ends with evacuation near the Gulf of Finland after failing to threaten Saint Petersburg.
Linkup at Rukova
Lewenhaupt reaches the main Swedish army with only part of his force and without the full wagon train.
Alliance with Mazepa
Seeks support from Ivan Mazepa and Cossack forces.
November
Battle of Poltava
Marches into Ukraine hoping to recover supplies and Cossack support.
December
Winter in Ukraine
Endures a severe winter that weakens the Swedish army.
Other events (month unknown)
March toward Moscow
Charles XII plans an advance toward Moscow but turns south after supply problems and Russian scorched earth tactics.
Scorched Earth Crisis
Russian scorched earth tactics help force his army south.
Supply March
Lewenhaupt marches south from Riga with troops, ammunition and food for Charles XII's main army.
Winter in Minsk
The Swedish army winters around Minsk before continuing the advance against Russia.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.