While Ivan IV was a minor, border skirmishes continued unabated, but the leaders of both powers were reluctant to commit their troops to open conflicts.
In 1536, the Russians and Tatars were on the brink of a new war and met near Lyskovo, but the battle was averted.
Over the following years, the Crimean khan constructed an offensive alliance with Safa Giray of Kazan, his relative.
When Safa Giray invaded Muscovy in December 1540, the Russians used Qasim Tatars to contain him.
After his advance was stalled near Murom, Safa Giray was forced to withdraw towards his own borders.

These reverses undermined Safa Giray's authority in Kazan.
A pro-Russian party, represented by Shahgali, gained enough popular support to usurp the throne more than once.
In 1545, Ivan IV mounted an expedition to the Volga River, mainly in order to flex muscles and to show his support for pro-Russian factions.
Little was achieved during the campaign of 1547-48 and the story was much the same for 1549-50.

In 1551, detailed schemes for the eventual conquest of Kazan started to be aired.
The tsar sent his envoy to the Nogai Horde and they promised to maintain neutrality during the impending war.
The Ar begs and Udmurts submitted to Russian authority as well.
In 1551, the wooden fort of Sviyazhsk was transported down the Volga from Uglich all the way to Kazan.
It was used as the Russian place d'armes during the decisive campaign of 1552.
While Ivan IV was a minor, border skirmishes continued unabated, but the leaders of both powers were reluctant to commit their troops to open conflicts. In 1536, the Russians and Tatars were on the brink of a new war and met near Lyskovo, but the battle was averted. Over the following years, the Crimean khan constructed an offensive alliance with Safa Giray of Kazan, his relative. When Safa Giray invaded Muscovy in December 1540, the Russians used Qasim Tatars to contain him. After his advance was stalled near Murom, Safa Giray was forced to withdraw towards his own borders.
These reverses undermined Safa Giray's authority in Kazan. A pro-Russian party, represented by Shahgali, gained enough popular support to usurp the throne more than once. In 1545, Ivan IV mounted an expedition to the Volga River, mainly in order to flex muscles and to show his support for pro-Russian factions. Little was achieved during the campaign of 1547-48 and the story was much the same for 1549-50.
In 1551, detailed schemes for the eventual conquest of Kazan started to be aired. The tsar sent his envoy to the Nogai Horde and they promised to maintain neutrality during the impending war. The Ar begs and Udmurts submitted to Russian authority as well. In 1551, the wooden fort of Sviyazhsk was transported down the Volga from Uglich all the way to Kazan. It was used as the Russian place d'armes during the decisive campaign of 1552.
Russo-Kazan Wars