Russian Army’s Abandonment of Przemyśl and Lviv in 1915: the Reaction on the Front and Rear

The article analyzes the reaction of Russian society to retreat in Eastern Galicia in 1915, especially to the fall of Przemyśl and Lviv with their symbolical significance and importance for official propaganda. The research, based on various relevant sources, both published and archival, including previously unknown for scholars, led us to three conclusions. Firstly, Russian public opinion was shocked only after leaving of Przemyśl, but fall of Lviv was estimated as predictable one. Secondly, Przemyśl and Lviv, after retreat of Russian troops, were sharply devalued in the rhetoric of press as strategically unnecessary cities. A lot of journalists and, then, many representatives of establishment, provided parallels between the actions of Russian military command and strategy of Russian military in 1812, sharping that saving the army, not number of occupied enemy cities, should be the main criterion of success. Thirdly, the attitude of rear and front to the retreat was different. Among the military, some people stood optimistic and estimated further perspectives in the war, in spite of annoyance of lost people and wasted time. Society inside the country, especially in Petrograd, was irritated by military loses and inconsistency of press’ rhetoric. The sharp turn of Russian press in its attitude to Przemyśl and Lviv increased the mistrust of society to this institution.