Ivan Isayevich Bolotnikov (Иван Исаевич Болотников) (?—1608) was the leader of the uprising of 1606-1607 (Bolonikov rebellion, Восстание Ивана Болотникова), which was part of the Time of Troubles in Russia.
Bolotnikov was a fugitive kholop (serf), who joined Cossacks, captured by Tatars, sold in Turkey to galleys, escaped to Venice, learned about False Dmitriy I and went to Russia via Germany and Poland. In Putivl he gathered his first regiment. His army quicky grew, supported by promises of False Dmitriy. Its ranks comprised of serfs, free peasants, cossacks, and many other categories of population, even several boyars and knyazes. In his proclamations Bolotnikov called not only against tsar Vasili Shuysky, but also for the abolition of serfdom.
At the peak of the uprising it controlled over 70 towns in Southwestern and Southern Russia and lower and middle Volga basin. In October-December, 1606 he besieged Moscow, but had to retreat to Kaluga . In 1607 he was defeated and captured under Tula. In 1608 he was blinded and drowned.
