On 18 July 1580, King Stefan Batory called a council of his hetman, during which two plans were designed - either to march towards Pskov, or to attack Smolensk.

After the siege, Polish-Lithuanian forces were to march towards Pskov, to cut links between Livonia and Russia.

The fortress of Velikiye Luki, located by the Lovat River, was made of wood and earth.

Next to it, a wooden town stood, which was burned by the Commonwealth forces so as it would not give cover to the defenders.

Hungarian mercenaries, who were first to enter it, began widespread looting, not paying attention to the fire, which in the meantime reached the gunpowder magazine.