Sack of Chernigov

The greater part of the Principality of Chernigov was situated on the left bank of the Dnieper River, encompassing the basins of the Desna and Seym rivers. The populace of the principality consisted mainly of Slavic tribes, namely the Siverians, and to some degree, the Dnieper Polans. Over time, the territory of the principality expanded to encompass the lands of the Radimichs, as well as a portion of the lands belonging to the Vyatichs and Drehovichs. Chernigov was established as the capital city, and other urban centers of note included Novgorod-Seversky, Starodub-Seversky, Trubchevsk and Kozelsk. The Chernigov Principality was restricted by the Murom-Ryazan Land to the north, and the Tmutorokan Principality to the southeast, exerting both ownership and influence.

The Mongol invasion of Rus' occurred in two phases. During the winter of 1237-38, the Mongols conquered the northern Rus' territories (the principalities of Ryazan and Vladimir-Suzdal) with the exception of the Novgorod Republic, and then in the spring of 1238 they retreated back to the Wild Fields.[1] In 1239 the second campaign aimed at the southern Rus' territories (the principalities of Chernigov and Kiev).[2]

In the autumn of 1239, the Tatar horde captured Hlukhiv, Kursk, Rylsk, and Putivl, and advanced towards Chernigov.[3] When Prince Mstislav heard that the Tatars were attacking the town, he moved with his troops to confront them.[4] The nomads used catapults that hurled stones the distance of a bowshot and a half. Mstislav escaped, but many of his men were killed.[5]

Following the fall of Chernigov on October 18, 1239, the Tatars pillaged towns in the surrounding countryside. The capital city of Kiev fell in autumn of 1240. The Principality of Chernigov was dissolved after the Mongol invasion.[6]