conquer the Middle East and China, Genghis Khan sent his three tumens, under the command of Subedeya and Jochi Khan, scout the area lying beyond the Caucasus.Tatar-Mongolian army faced there with the Polovtsian troops who had defeated them.Remains Polovtsian retreat of the Dnieper, which appealed to the Russian princes.
the spring of 1223 was assembled a great council of princes, where it was decided to provide military assistance to the Polovtsian Khan Kotyanom.Princes remote, northern areas of Russia refused to support the Polovtsian.The battle was decided to give to the Polovtsian land.The result of such a decision and began the battle on the Kalka.The combined Russian troops led by Mstislav of Kiev, Mstislav the Bold and Mstislav of Chernigov.With advanced Mongolian troops fighting first began immediately after crossing the Dnieper.The Mongols did not join the fight and retreated within eight days.When the Russian army blocked the way small river Kalka, it was set up a council of war, during which the views of the leaders of the left.Mstislav of Kiev claimed the need of defense, and Mstislav the Bold wanted to fight.
Battle of the Kalka started May 31, 1223.Prince Mstislav the Bold, examining the Mongolian camp, decided that he and one cope with the enemy.Initially, the tide of battle was turning toward the Russian, but the Mongols dealt a major blow not at the center, where there was a Galician prince with his retinue, and the left wing of the Polovtsian.The nomads, unable to withstand the onslaught of powerful, began unorganized retreat.Running Polovtsian cavalry confused ranks of Russian warriors, ready for action, which immediately began to besiege the Mongols.The situation could still save the Prince of Kiev, but driven by resentment at the Galician prince, he had not struck the flank of the Tatars.Russian troops outnumbered Mongolian, but the fragmentation of groups and the shameful flight Polovtsian led to a crushing defeat of Russia.
Kiev Mstislav strengthened on the hill, where for three days successfully repelled all attacks of the Tatar troops.Then the Mongols went to the cunning leader of roamers Ploskinya kissed the cross in front of the Prince of Kiev, assuring him that the Tartars released all of their homes, if they lay down their arms.Yielding to the entreaties, Mstislav surrendered, but the Mongols did not keep his word.All ordinary soldiers led away into slavery, and the princes and generals put under the cover, on which sat down to feast, marking the victory.The Battle of Kalka was completed in three days.
Mongolian troops tried to go on the offensive on the ground Chernigov principality, but when faced with the first fortified city - Novgorod Seversky, retreated back into the steppe.Thus, the battle on the Kalka Mongols allowed to carry out a thorough reconnaissance.They appreciated the Russian army, but in its report Genghis Khan was highlighted the lack of unity in the Russian princes.During the invasion of Batu Khan to Russia in 1239 on the fragmentation of Rus principality was widely used by the Mongols.
Battle of the Kalka River showed the consequences of lack of coordination.Russian troops have suffered huge losses, returned home less than a tenth of the soldiers.Killed a lot of noble warriors and princes.Battle of the Kalka Russian princes showed the power of the new enemy, but the lesson was learned and the subsequent 16 years the invasion of the Mongol-Tatar hordes in the Russian land slowed the development of Russia almost two and a half centuries.
