fell on the same day, with the last stage taking place after violent street fighting when some 3,000 Russians citizens blew themselves up in the Assumption Cathedral. The wounded Mikhail Shein was taken prisoner and would remain a prisoner of Poland for the next 9 years. Gallery Aftermath Although it was a blow to lose Smolensk, it freed up Russian troops to fight the Commonwealth in Moscow, whereas Shein came to be considered a hero for holding out as long as he had. Smolensk would later become the place of a siege in 1612 and again in 1617. See also Time of Troubles References Battles of the Polish–Muscovite War (1605–1618) Conflicts in 1609 Conflicts in 1610 Conflicts in 1611 Sieges involving Poland Sieges involving Russia Sieges involving the Grand Duchy of Lithuania History of Smolensk Oblast Smolensk 1609 in Russia 1610 in Russia 1611 in Russia