Pugachev, taking advantage of the rumors circulating…

Pugachev, taking advantage of the rumors circulating that Catherine’s husband and predecessor Peter III is still alive,  declares himself to be Peter and claims to have survived an assassination attempt by Catherine.

General Peter Panin thereupon set out against the rebels with a large army, but difficulty of transport, lack of discipline, and the gross insubordination of his ill-paid soldiers paralyzes all his efforts for months, while the innumerable and ubiquitous bands of Pugachev gain victories in nearly every engagement.

Pugachev proclaims the abolition of serfdom, garnering support from thousands of peasants.

He is marching on Moscow at the head of a thirty thousand-strong army by December.