Siege of Ryazan

Ryazan was the first Russian city to be besieged by the Mongols of Batu Khan.

In the autumn of 1237 the Mongol Horde led by Batu invaded the Rus' principality of Ryazan (this site is now known as Old Ryazan, "Staraya Ryazan", and is situated some 50 km from the actual Ryazan). The Prince of Ryazan, Yuriy Igorevich asked for the help of the grand duke of Vladimir Yuriy Vsevolodovich, but did not receive it.

Batu Khan defeated the vanguard of the Ryazan army and on December, 16, 1237 besieged the capital of principality. The townspeople repelled the first attacks of Horde soldiers. The Horde then applied catapults and destroyed the fortifications of the City. Having stormed Ryazan on December, 21, the soldiers of Batu Khan massacred all inhabitants of the city. The annals testify: "There did not remain anybody who could groan and cry". The city of Old Ryazan was completely destroyed and did not survive.

After the devastation, the Horde of Batu Khan invaded into Rus' principality of Vladimir-Suzdal.

References

*Full Collection of Russian Chronicles, St.Petersburg, 1908, reprinted Moscow, 2001, ISBN 5-94457-011-3.