Battle of the Kalka River
Kalka River (now Ukraine)
What happened
The Mongol generals Jebe and Subutai fought an alliance of Rus' princes, including Mstislav the Bold of Galicia and Mstislav III of Kiev, and the Cuman leader Köten. After the Mongols defeated the Cumans, the Cuman leader Köten asked his son-in-law, a Rus' prince, for help. The Mongols pretended to retreat for nine days, drawing the Rus' armies out and spreading them apart. At the Kalka River the Cumans broke and ran, throwing the Rus' lines into confusion, and the Mongols won.
Why it matters
Result: Mongol victory. Leaders: Jebe / Subutai against Mstislav Mstislavich / Mstislav III. Why it matters: It was the first time the Rus' princes faced the Mongol army, years before the full invasion of 1237. It showed what Mongol armies could do.
What came next
In 1237 the Mongols returned under Batu Khan and Subutai and conquered Kievan Rus'.
Did you know?
Köten warned the Rus': 'Today the Mongols have taken our land and tomorrow they will take yours.'
Timeline
- 1217 CEGenghis Khan sends Subutai to hunt the Cuman-Kipchak confederation.
- 31 May 1223 CEThe Mongols defeat the Rus' and Cumans at the Kalka River.
- Late 1237 CEThe Mongols attack Ryazan and Vladimir-Suzdal.
- December 1240 CEKiev falls to the Mongols.