Battle of the Kayala River (1185)

Igor Svyatoslavich Novgorod-Seversky hike on Polovtsy Main conflict: Russian-Polovtsian wars Route hike Polovtsy The route of the campaign of the Russian regiments to the Polovtsy in 1185 date	1185 Total	Igor's defeat Opponents • Novgorod-Seversky principality • Kovui ( Chernigov principality )

• Polovtsi

Commanders • Igor Svyatoslavich • Vsevolod Svyatoslavich • Svyatoslav Olgovich • Vladimir Igorevich • Voyevoda Alstin Oleksich

• Konchak • Gzak

[ hide ] Russian - Polovtsian battles Alta (1068) • Dream (1068) • Stugna (1093) • Trubezh (1096) • Suten (1103) • Sula (1107) • Salnitsa (1111) • Polkosten (1125) • Black Forest (1168) • Rostovets (1176) • Khorol (1184) • Orel (1184) • Kayala (1185)

Vasnetsov V.M. Painting “After Igor Svyatoslavich’s Massacre with Polovtsy” The campaign of Igor Svyatoslavich Novgorod-Seversky against the Polovtsy (1185) was a separate campaign of the Seversky princes against the Polovtsians, who were impressed by the successes of the Kiev princes of 1183-1184, with the possible goal of regaining control of the Tmuarakan principality.

Forces of the parties In the spring of 1185, Svetoslav Vsevolodovich left for his northeastern possessions to gather warriors to go to the Don for the Polovtsy for the whole summer [1], and Igor, together with his brother Vsevolod , Prince Kursky and Trubchevsky , and nephew Svyatoslav Olgovich , Prince of Rylsky , new hike. Together with the Kovuyev detachment (a nomadic population dependent on the Chernigov princes on the left bank of the Dnieper, akin to the right bank black hoods dependent on the Kiev princes), they moved to the shores of the Donets.

Sources indicate that almost all known Polovtsian tribal groups in south-eastern Europe (toxob, durut, etoba, and others) participated in the clash, with the exception of the Lukomorsky polovtsy and burchevichi (Burdjoglu) who were defeated in 1183-1184.

Tactical features See also: Army of Ancient Russia The chronicle story about Prince Igor’s Polovtsy campaign [2] contains information about the battle order of the Russian princes of the time, which, compared to the XI century, began to split not only along the front, but also in depth, while the large regiment also mentioned for the first time composed of shooters from all the other regiments. At the first meeting with the Polovtsy on the Syurly river (on Friday morning), Igor was lucky, and large prey was seized. The pursuit was organized by the advanced regiment of Vladimir Igorevich and the regiment of the left hand of Svyatoslav Olgovich, while the main forces (the large regiment of Igor and the regiment of the right hand of Vsevolod) continued to maintain the structure.

On the shores of Kayala, the Russian army clashed with the main forces of the Polovtsy (on Saturday morning). The numerical superiority of the Polovtsy was so serious that the subsequent battle was fought by Russian troops surrounded. Fighting, they moved to the Donets. Igor dismissed the option of flight from the Polovtsy in the equestrian ranks, because he did not want to leave to the mercy of black people. The chronicle also provides a curious detail, which also indicates the peculiarities of the military affairs of that time: having received a wound, Igor continued to move on horseback. On Sunday morning, after a day of uninterrupted combat on the move, the troops reached the lake and began to go around it. The Word about the regiment of Igor contains no detail in the chronicle story that Igor changed the direction of his regiment to help the regiment of Vsevolod. Kovui could not stand it and ran, trying to escape from the environment. Igor galloped against them to try to get them back, but he failed. He also could not return back. He was taken prisoner, like the rest of the princes. Many warriors died. "The Word of Igor's Regiment" generally speaks of three days of battle with the Polovtsy, specifying that on the third day Igor's banners fell by noon.

Polovtsi invaded Russia in two directions: to Pereyaslavl and Poceme. Vladimir Glebovich was besieged in Pereyaslavl, and Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich was sent to Kursk and Putivl to send his sons Oleg and Vladimir. At the same time, Svyatoslav united with Rurik at Zarub, preparing to cross the Dnieper in order to come to the aid of the besieged in Pereyaslavl. Polovtsi did not wait for the collision and left. Polovtsy managed to burn only the city of Rome.