In the early 15th century, tensions within the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Ruthenia and Samogitia over the governance of the Rus' lands intensified. These tensions escalated into a power struggle following the death of Grand Duke Vytautas in 1430. Vytautas had been a powerful and unifying figure, and his passing left a power vacuum that deepened divisions within the Lithuanian elite. Two main contenders for the throne emerged: Švitrigaila, who had the support of the Orthodox Rus' nobility, and Sigismund Kęstutaitis, who represented the Catholic Lithuanian elite. In 1432, Sigismund Kęstutaitis declared himself the new Grand Duke of Lithuania. To consolidate his rule and gain favor with the Rus' lands, he proclaimed the creation of a new political entity—the . This new formation was intended to include several important regions, such as Volhynia, Podolia, Siveria, Berestia, and Kyivshchyna, with Kyiv as its capital. Despite this declaration, Švitrigaila remained formally the head of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and sought to transform the Rus' lands into an independent state under his control. His ambition to sever the ties with the rest of the Grand Duchy sparked a civil war that raged from 1432 to 1435, plunging Lithuania into internal conflict.
In the early 15th century tensions within the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Ruthenia and Samogitia over the governance of the Rus' lands intensified These tensions escalated into a power struggle following the death of Grand Duke Vytautas in 1430 Vytautas had been a powerful and unifying figure and his passing left a power vacuum that deepened divisions within the Lithuanian elite Two main contenders for the throne emerged Švitrigaila who had the support of the Orthodox Rus' nobility and Sigismund Kęstutaitis who represented the Catholic Lithuanian elite In 1432 Sigismund Kęstutaitis declared himself the new Grand Duke of Lithuania To consolidate his rule and gain favor with the Rus' lands he proclaimed the creation of a new political entity—the  This new formation was intended to include several important regions such as Volhynia Podolia Siveria Berestia and Kyivshchyna with Kyiv as its capital Despite this declaration Švitrigaila remained formally the head of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and sought to transform the Rus' lands into an independent state under his control His ambition to sever the ties with the rest of the Grand Duchy sparked a civil war that raged from 1432 to 1435 plunging Lithuania into internal conflict