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Stepan Apraksin
Stepan Fyodorovich Apraksin (Russian: Степан Фёдорович Апраксин; 10 August [O.S. 30 July] 1702 -
17 August [O.S. 6 August] 1758), a relative of Fyodor M. Apraksin, commanded the Russian armies
during the Seven Years' War. He should not be confused with his son Stepan Stepanovich Apraksin,
who had a notable military career in the service of Catherine the Great.
Contents
1 Early life
2 Politics
4 Downfall
5 Footnotes
6 References
Early life
Apraksin the Elder fought under Münnich against the Turks and rose rapidly to the rank of General.
He was present at the taking of Ochakov in 1737 and brought to the Russian capital news about the
capture of Khotin in 1739. Several years later, he led a Russian embassy to Persia.
Politics
At the Russian court Apraksin became one of the keenest opponents of both the pro-Prussian party
and of Count Lestocq. He was one of the few devoted supporters of Chancellor Aleksey Bestuzhev,
who ensured Apraksin's promotion to Field Marshal and appointment to command the Russian army
on the outbreak of the Seven Years' War in 1756.
Downfall
As Elizabeth recovered, Bestuzhev fell from power and suffered banishment, and Apraksin came
under the suspicion of having received bribes from the Prussian king. Put on trial, he died in prison in
August 1758 before the military tribunal had reached a decision as to the reasons for his scandalous
retreat. He was replaced as commander in Prussia, by William Fermor who went on to fight the
inconclusive Battle of Zorndorf against Frederick the Great.