The siege of Kazan began in September 1552 when Ivan IV, also known as Ivan the Terrible, recognized the importance of capturing Kazan for consolidating his power and expanding his territory into the east. Kazan was the capital of the Khanate of Kazan, which had been a thorn in the side of the expanding Muscovite state. The Russian army, numbering approximately 150,000 soldiers, surrounded the city and initiated a comprehensive assault. The defenders, comprised of Tatar warriors, fiercely resisted the Russian onslaught. However, the Russians employed heavy artillery and utilized a strategic approach, cutting off supplies to the city and weakening its defenses.After weeks of siege, Russian forces were able to breach the city walls on October 2. The ensuing battle within Kazan was brutal, resulting in significant losses on both sides, but ultimately leading to the capture of the city. The fall of Kazan had profound implications for the region, as it effectively ended the independence of the Khanate of Kazan and integrated it into the growing Russian state. Ivan IV's victory not only solidified his control over the region but also set the stage for further expansion into Siberia in subsequent years.