When did the Great Horde fail to invade Muscovy at the Ugra River?
The Great Horde failed in an attempt to invade Muscovy at the Ugra River in 1480. This date is conventionally taken as the end of Tatar rule over Russia.
Questions about Expansion of Russia (1500–1800)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What was the purpose and timeline of the Belgorod Line construction?
Frontier deployment moved south to the Belgorod line beginning in 1646 with command based there from 1650. The completed Belgorod Line ran south down the Voronezh River from Kozlov, founded in 1635, through Dobryi and Usman, established in 1645.
Which Cossack polities existed around 1500 and how were they organized?
By around 1500, Slavs on the frontier formed two military polities: the Ukrainian Zaparozhian Sich on the Dnieper bend and the Russian Don Cossacks on the Don River bend. Many Cossacks on the upper Don had recently fled settled lands while those on the lower Don lived on the steppe for generations.
When did Moscow annex Astrakhan and what forts were built during this expansion?
Russia annexed Astrakhan in 1556 after a Nogai prince installed by Moscow rebelled against them. Intermediate forts were built on the Volga including Samara in 1586, Saratov in 1590, and Tsaritsyn in 1589.
What territories did Russia acquire under the Treaty of Andrusovo in 1667?
By the Treaty of Andrusovo in 1667, Russia acquired Smolensk and Chernihiv and nominal rule over the lands east of the Dnieper including Kiev. To the south Zaporizhia continued under Cossack self-government until Poland gave up its claim to it by the Eternal Peace Treaty of 1686.
In which year was Crimea finally annexed by Russia and who was installed as Khan?
Crimea was finally annexed in 1783 after Russia installed Şahin Giray as Khan. His overly firm rule provoked rebellion and he had to be propped up by Russian troops before the final annexation.