Ivan Dmytrovych Sirko ( – August 11, 1680) was a Zaporozhian Cossack military leader, Koshovyi Otaman of the Zaporozhian Sich and putative co-author of the famous semi-legendary Cossack letter to the Ottoman sultan that inspired the major painting Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks by the 19th-century artist Ilya Repin. He was undefeated in battle and during his career gained fame all over Europe for his exploits against the Ottoman Empire and Crimean Khanate.
Early life and origin
The first biography of Ivan Sirko, written by Dmytro Yavornytsky in 1890, gave Sirko's place of birth as the sloboda of Merefa near the modern-day city of Kharkiv. Historian Yuriy Mytsyik states that this could not be the case. In his book Otaman Ivan SirkoOtaman Ivan Sirko by Yuriy Mytsyik (1999) he writes that Merefa was established only in 1658 (more than 40 years after the birth of the future Otaman). The author also notes that Sirko later in his life did actually live in Merefa with his family on his own estate, and according to some earlier local chronicles there even existed a small settlement called Sirkivka. However, Mytsyik also points out that in 1658–1660 Sirko served as a colonel of the Kalnyk Polk (a military and administrative division of the Cossack Hetmanate) in Podilia, a position usually awarded to the representative of a local population. The author also gives a reference to the letter of Ivan Samiylovych to kniaz G. Romodanovsky (the Tsar's voyevoda) in which the Hetman refers to Sirko as one born in Polish lands instead of in Sloboda Ukraine (part of Tsardom of Russia). Mytsyik also recalls that another historian, Volodymyr Borysenko, allowed for the possibility that Sirko was born in Murafa near the city of Sharhorod (now in Vinnytsia Oblast). The author explains during that time when people were fleeing the war (known as the Ruin, 1659–1686) they may have established a similarly named town in Sloboda Ukraine further east.
Further, Mytsyik in his book states that Sirko probably was not of Cossack heritage, but rather of the Ukrainian (Ruthenian) Orthodox szlachta. Mytsyik points out that a local Podilian nobleman, Wojciech Sirko, married a certain Olena Kozynska sometime in 1592. Also in official letters the Polish administration referred to Sirko as urodzonim, implying a native-born Polish subject. Mytsyik states that Sirko stood about 174–176 cm tall and had a birthmark on the right side of the lower lip, a detail which Ilya Repin failed to depict in his artwork when he used General Dragomirov as a model of Otaman Sirko. Mytsyik also recalls the letter of the Field Hetman of the Crown John III Sobieski (later king of Poland) which referred to Sirko as:
According to Ivan Sobchenko, Sirko's father was Dmitry Sirko, which correlates with Ivan Sirko's patronymic name (Dmytrovych). Sobchenko states that Dmitry Sirko was a Ukrainian Cossack from Murafa, elected as ataman of Murafa sotnia of the Bratslav regiment. Ivan Sirko was born in nobility before his family lost its right to gentry.
It's generally accepted that Ivan Sirko was of Ukrainian ethnicity. However, Paul Robert Magocsi states in his book that Ivan Sirko was a Ukrainian Cossack of Moldavian origin. Sirko's father is identified as a Ukrainian of either Ruthenian or Cossack Orthodox nobility. Sirko's mother is identified as a native of Podolia, but information about her exact ethnic background is scarce, possibly having Moldavian origin.
Sotnik
Raids on Varna & Perekop
In 1620, Sirko held the rank of Sotnik, taking part in his first recorded campaign against the Ottomans. He led his detachment of Cossacks in a campaign against Varna, sacking it. Afterwards, he raided Crimean city of Perekop.
Battle of Khotyn 1621
In 1621, Ukrainian Cossack Hetman, Petro Sahaidachny gathered an army of Zaporozhian Cossacks against the Ottoman army that threatened the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, along with other regions. Sirko with his detachment took part in the Battle of Khotyn, inflicting heavy losses on Ottoman Janissaries.
Raid on Istanbul 1629
In 1629, Sirko took part in a raid on Istanbul organized by Bohdan Khmelnytsky, the future Ukrainian Cossack Hetman. Cossacks ravaged Turkish villages in vicinity of Istanbul and took large amount of loot during the raid.
Siege of Azov
In 1637, Sirko took part in the capture of Azov fortress by the Zaporozhian and Don Cossacks. Cossacks defeated the Ottoman Janissaries and captured the Azov fortress. Don Cossacks remained in Azov, while Zaporozhian Cossacks returned to the Sich with loot and captives.
Sirko later joined the Azov garrison which had 700 Zaporozhian Cossacks among them, which later grew to 1,000 Zaporozhians. Zaporozhian and Don Cossacks defended Azov from Ottoman attacks in 1641.
Colonel
Thirty Years' War
In 1644, Sirko appears in historical sources as Polkovnyk (Colonel) of Vinnytsia. Ukrainian and some French historians mention involvement of 2,000–2,500 Zaporozhian Cossacks led by Ivan Sirko during the Siege of Dunkirk in 1646.Alexander Baran; George Gajecky (1983). Volume II: 1625-1648. The Cossacks in the Thirty Years War. p. 55.Jean Verhun (1980). Les Cosaques d'Ukraine ont-ils pris part au siège de Dunkerque en 1645-1646 ?.
Khmelnytsky Uprising
Sirko supported Bohdan Khmelnytsky during the uprising against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and took an active part in it. He distinguished himself at the Battles of Zhovti Vody, Korsun, Pyliavtsi, Zboriv, Batih and Zhvanets.
Chortomlyk Sich
Sirko changed his political orientation several times. In 1654, he initially opposed the alliance with Moscow during the Pereyaslav Rada, departing to Chortomlyk Sich to protect the southern borders of Ukraine from Crimean-Nogai raids.
In 1655, Sirko launched a campaign into Crimea to thwart planned Tatar campaign into Ukraine. Together with the Don Cossacks, he captured Taman Peninsula, an important strategic point that controlled the Kerch Strait. Cossacks kept the Azov Sea locked for two months and the population in terror.
Kosh Otaman
Russo-Polish War
In 1659, he was elected as Kosh Otaman of the Zaporizhian Host, allying with Tsardom of Russia. Together with the Russian Prince Trubetski fought against the Crimean Khanate. In 1660, he launched a major campaign against the Ottoman fortresses of Ochakiv and Aslam-Kermen. He took large number of captives during both campaigns. Sirko defeated Tatars in a major battle on , freeing 15,000 Christian slaves.
In 1663, together with Tsarist and Kalmyk troops, he inflicted a heavy defeat on Tatars and Ottoman Janissaries during the Siege of Perekop, ravaging many Tatar settlements and taking large number of captives, forcing the Crimean Khanate to reduce their support to Poland-Lithuania. In 1664, he was one of the inspirators of an uprising in Right-bank Ukraine against Poland which is known from his letter to the Tsar.«Исполняя с Войском Запорожским службу вашему царскому пресветлому величеству, я, Иван Серко, месяца января 8 числа, пошел на две реки, Буг и Днестр, где Божиею милостью и предстательством Пресвятой Богородицы и вашего великого государя счастьем, напав на турецкие селения выше Тягина города, побил много бусурман и великую добычу взял. Оборотясь же из-под турецкого города Тягина, пошел под черкасские города. Услыша же о моём, Ивана Серка, приходе, горожане сами начали сечь и рубить жидов и поляков, а все полки и посполитые, претерпевшие столько бед, неволю и мучения, начали сдаваться. Чрез нас, Ивана Серка, обращена вновь к вашему царскому величеству вся Малая Россия, города над Бугом и за Бугом, а именно: Брацлавский и Калницкий полки, Могилев, Рашков, Уманский повет, до самого Днепра и Днестра; безвинные люди обещались своими душами держаться под крепкою рукою вашего царского пресветлого величества до тех пор, пока души их будут в телах» // Яворницкий Д.I. Історія запорозьких козаків. Т. II, 1990, с. 262-263.
Career
Sirko has been elected by the Cossacks as Kosh Otaman 8 times. He was the first Cossack Otaman to ally with Kalmyks against Tatars. Sirko was respected by Kalmyks, stating they only wanted to participate in his campaigns. In October 1667, Sirko launched a campaign against the Crimean Khanate, during which he sacked Kaffa. He freed 2,000 Christian slaves, while taking thousands of Tatars as captives. This campaign caused so much panic in Crimea that Khan Adil Giray took refuge in Anatolia.
Despite his pro-Moscow orientation, he distrusted and hated pro-Russian Hetman Ivan Briukhovetsky, but at the same time married his son Roman to Briukhovetsky's daughter. In 1668, this rivalry even forced Ivan Sirko to switch sides again and briefly join Petro Doroshenko in his fight against "Muscovite boyars and Voivodes" during Left-Bank Uprising, where he notably fought the Russian Tsarist forces during his campaign, but in 1670, once again Sirko pledged loyalty to the Tsar. Sirko besieged Ochakiv and Ismail, capturing these Ottoman strongholds.
Sirko played an important role in Cossack campaigns and raids against the Crimean Khanate, Nogai Horde and Ottoman Empire. Sirko put emphasis on taking Turks, Tatars and other Muslim peoples as captives during Cossack campaigns and raids. Jews were also recorded to have been targeted by Cossack raids. Captives taken during their campaigns and raids could be used for ransom or sold into slavery to various states. Sirko's campaigns and raids were so problematic, that Sultan Mehmed IV issued a firman to the mosques to pray for the death of Ivan Sirko.
Following the death of Demian Mnohohrishny in 1672, Sirko entered the struggle for the Hetman title, but was exiled by the Russian Tsar to Tobolsk, Siberia. However, Mehmed IV took advantage of the absence of Ivan Sirko, in spring the 300,000-strong Ottoman army crossed the Danube and invaded Podolia. Ottomans threatened to devastate not only Ukraine, but also the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Tsardom of Russia. Sirko's absence eased the pressure of the Turkish-Tatar aggression to such an extent that they felt permissive.
Russo-Turkish War
In 1673, Russian Tsar returned Sirko back to Ukraine, reportedly at the request of John III Sobieski and other European states concerned about the growing Ottoman threat. Sirko once again fought against Tatars and Turks. He captured the Arslan fortress, and for the second time captured Ochakiv. He sacked Tighina, massacring or enslaving all inhabitants. Same year, he launched a campaign against the Crimean Khanate, Nogai Horde and Ottoman Empire. Author of History of Ruthenians described his campaign in Crimea:
False son of Tsar Alexi, "Tsarevich" Simeon, came to Sich in 1673, after the defeat of Razin's Revolt. Simeon told Ivan Sirko, that after he escaped from a plot against him in Moscow, he had joined Stenka Razin's Cossacks and secretly supported their rebellion, before coming to Sich with Ataman Ivan Miiuska. Thereafter he planned to go in secret to Kyiv, and then to the Polish King. However, Sirko later sent the impersonator to Moscow, where he was executed a year later.Maureen Perrie (2006). Fugitive Tsars and Zaporozhian Cossacks: The Development of a Seventeenth-Century Stereotype. p. 587.
In 1674, when the rivers froze, Turkish-Tatar forces launched a campaign into Ukraine. The campaign was unsuccessful, Turkish-Tatar troops were forced to retreat after suffering heavy losses. Sirko wanted revenge for the attack, this inspired his Crimean campaign in 1675. During the campaign, he sacked the capital of the Crimean Khanate, Bakhchysarai. He freed 7,000 Christian slaves, while taking thousands of Tatars and Turks as captives. However, Sirko discovered that 3,000 of the freed Christian slaves wanted to go back to Crimea, a lot of whom actually converted to Islam, so he ordered their execution. After execution, Sirko is quoted to have said:Rudnytsky, Ivan. L.; Himka, John-Paul (1981). Rethinking Ukrainian History. p. 123.