Seven years war 1756-1763. It was arguably one of the first global conflicts, it also engulfed basically entire Europe.
The relevant part here was that Russia fought against Prussia and basically won in 1762, Russian troops were close to Berlin but at that point Russian Empress Elizabeth died. Since she was childless the heir to the throne was her nephew Karl Peter Ulrich von Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp, which was promptly crowned as Emperor Peter III and even more promptly changed sides in the war and allied with Prussia since he was just a German prince without any hint of Russia in him.
Fun fact was that it was so unpopular that he was deposed after few months by his own wife Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst (better known as Catherine the Great) colluding with Russian aristocracy.
Seven years war 1756-1763. It was arguably one of the first global conflicts, it also engulfed basically entire Europe.
The relevant part here was that Russia fought against Prussia and basically won in 1762, Russian troops were close to Berlin but at that point Russian Empress Elizabeth died. Since she was childless the heir to the throne was her nephew Karl Peter Ulrich von Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp, which was promptly crowned as Emperor Peter III and even more promptly changed sides in the war and allied with Prussia since he was just a German prince without any hint of Russia in him.
Fun fact was that it was so unpopular that he was deposed after few months by his own wife Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst (better known as Catherine the Great) colluding with Russian aristocracy.
This is truly incredible… Imagine being a soldier and just being confused as hell. Like who am I fighting now? And why?