Astrakhan had cooperated in the 1530s with…

Astrakhan had cooperated in the 1530s with the Crimean Khanate and the Nogay Horde in a campaign against Russia, and later became involved in conflicts against its erstwhile Tatar allies.

A pro-Muscovite party had taken power in Astrakhan shortly after the Russian capture of Kazan.

Ivan dispatches soldiers to Astrakhan, establishing Darwish Khan as a vassal ruler of the Khanate in 1554.

Pro-muscovite nobles and Nogay tribesmen support the Russian occupation forces.

After the threat of a Crimean raid against the Khanate subsides, Darwish Khan conspires with the Crimean Khanate to drive the Russians out of the region.