Ivan the Terrifying's Wars of Conquest
Ivan IV aggressively waged war. Some wars failed, like his attempt to expand west along the Baltic Sea. Other campaigns were victorious, particularly in the east where many Muslim khanates could not resist growing Russian power. His wars, however, were infamous for cruelty and atrocities. In Baltic Livonia, Russian troops were accused of killing children and executing women. At Kazan in the east, the defenders were killed, the civilians massacred, and most of the city was deliberately destroyed. Ivan would also turn his fury on his own people, cities, and son.