Berestechko 1651

The great three-nation battle on Ukraine's plains

In June 1651, one of the largest land battles of the 17th century unfolded near Berestechko, where Polish forces of King John II Casimir clashed with Khmelnytsky's Cossack-Tatar army. The betrayal of the Tatars, who abandoned the field taking Khmelnytsky with them, sealed the Polish victory. The Treaty of Bila Tserkva curtailed Cossack autonomy but did not end the conflict.