Tott's Russian wars

Tott's Russian wars (Swedish: Tott's ryska krig) refers to a series of two wars waged by Erik Axelsson Tott against Russia. The first one occurred from 1475–1476, with the other one going from 1479–1482.

Background
After Erik Axelsson Tott became the commander of Viborg in 1457, the Swedish relations with Novgorod become more strained. Despite a peace treaty being signed in 1468, the Novgorodians carried out numerous attacks on the border in the same year. The tension between the two increased further when a truce that had been signed in 1458 expired in 1473.

Tott's first Russian war
In 1475, Erik Axelsson Tott began construction of a fortress in the inner parts of Finland, which was named Nyslott or Olofsborg. It was located on an islet in the strait between Saimen and Haukivesi and it is unclear whether it should be considered to have been in Swedish or Russian territory. Under all circumstances, the construction leads to an increased amount of Russian military activity in the area. In Sweden proper, a new tax was required for the defenses in the east and new troops were mobilizedfor this purpose. It is highly likely that the commander of these troops was the knight Erik Karlsson Vasa.

The Russians complained that the fortress had been built on their territory in 1475, and the same year they made an incursion into Finland and were "cruel". This incursion seems to have been more dangerous than normal, since Erik Axelsson Tott quickly hired the Bishop of Åbo and several Finnish nobles to inform the Government about what had happened, and requested a rescue from the mainland, they also consequently asked for aid. When this aid arrived it was used too late, with hostilities continuing through the winter. In the spring of 1476, there was a new request for aid. It was likely around this period that Erik Karlsson Vasa performed his highly praised feats that are mentioned in the Rim Chronicle.

It was also in this time that Sten Sture had sent envoys to Novgorod for the restoration of peace. Grand Duke Ivan Vasiljevitsch received the Swedish messangers kindly and commanded the archbishop to extend and renew the truce for a few years.

Tott's second Russian war
The construction of Olofsborg continues despite the renewed peace signed in 1476, and it remained a thorn in the side of the Russians. Erik Axelsson Tott now expected a large Russian attack. Because of this, Olofsborg was expanded from being a dirt and wooden fortress to being built from stone.

However, the peace would not last long. In 1479, the Russians raided around the area of Olofsborg, however, details of the raiding are unknown. As revenge for this raid, Erik Axelsson Tott carred out an attack into Russia in the autumn of 1480. He had earlier received large reinforcements from Sweden, amounting to upwards of 24,000 men. He went raiding into Russian territory, going as far as 100 –120 kilometers or 24 miles. According to Olaus Petri's chronicle, Erik Axelsson "killed both people and cattle, men and women, young and old, to several thousands" This account is most likely very accurate due to the fighting on the eastern front being extremely brutal. He also burned all the villages where he marched.

Erik Axelsson also forbade any shipping on the Neva and Narva in the summer. This ban was again renewed in the fall of 1481 by Lars Axelsson Tott after he had taken over command of Viborg since Erik Axelsson had died in the spring of 1481. After taking command, Lars also continued the war. Despite him continuing the war, it did not turn into anything more serious, and on January 17 1482, the courtiers in Novgorod concluded a new truce with Lars for four years.

Aftermath
Peace between Russia and Sweden would for the most part remain until 1495. An exception to this is a letter from peasnats in Kemi, Ijo, and Limingo parishes that are presenting complains over Russian raids in Österbotten (modern day Ostrobothnia).