Alexander is a weak and lethargic prince so incapable of defending his possessions against the persistent attacks of the Muscovites that he had attempted to save them by a matrimonial compact.

However, the clear determination of Ivan to appropriate as much of Lithuania as possible, finally compels Alexander to take up arms against his father-in-law, renewing hostilities in May 1500, when Ivan III takes advantage of a planned Polish–Hungarian campaign against the Ottoman Empire.

While preoccupied with the Ottomans, Poland and Hungary will not provide assistance to Lithuania.

The pretext is the alleged religious intolerance to the Orthodox members of the Lithuanian court.

Helena is forbidden by her father Ivan III to convert to Catholicism and this provides numerous opportunities for Ivan III, as defender of all Orthodox, to interfere in Lithuanian affairs and rally Orthodox believers.

The Muscovites promptly overrun Lithuanian fortresses in Bryansk, …