Algirdas left Jogaila, his eldest son with his second wife Uliana of Tver, as the rightful heir.

Andrei's rivalry with Jogaila, Grand Duke of Lithuania and later King of Poland, eventually led to his demise.

In 1342, Andrei joined his father Algirdas and uncle Kęstutis in a war against the Livonian Order to help the Pskov Republic.

[3] Yuri remained in Pskov until 1348 when Teutonic Knights organized a large attack against Lithuania (see Battle of Strėva).

Pskov's army was helping Novgorod against Sweden when Livonian Order attacked a Pskovian fortress at Izborsk.

Because Lithuanians were unable to defend Pskov, the city refused to accept another deputy from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

He further enlisted Mamai, a powerful warlord of the Golden Horde, and Oleg II of Ryazan as his allies against Andrei.

As Skirgaila was laying a siege on the rebellious city, Kęstutis and his son Vytautas took the opportunity to start the Lithuanian Civil War against Jogaila and remove him from the throne.

When Jogaila traveled to Poland to discuss the Union of Krewo, Andrei took the opportunity to renew his war against Lithuania.

[2] However, Sviatoslav suffered a great defeat in the Battle of the Vikhra River and the Principality of Smolensk became a vassal of Lithuania.