Battle of Kolomna (1238)

The Battle of Kolomna is a battle between the troops of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality with the participation of the remnants of the Ryazan troops and the participation of the Novgorodians against the Mongols. One of the central events of the Western (Kipchak) campaign of the Mongols (1236-1242) and the Mongol invasion of Russia (1237-1240), in particular, one of the key battles of the Mongolian campaign against Northeast Russia (1237-1238).

Background
The first city that became on the way of the conquerors was Ryazan. The battle for Ryazan began on December 16, 1237. On three sides Ryazan was protected by well fortified walls, on the fourth part is was protecte by the river. The defense of Ryazan was headed by Grand Prince of Ryazan Yuri Igorevich, and Roman Ingvarevich led the troops north to join with the Vladimir army. The Laurentian Chronicle reports on the ensuing joint statement by the Vladimir armies, Prince Roman and Novgorodians from Vladimir. However, the Ipatiev Chronicle mentions in place of Roman the nameless son of Mikhail Vsevolodovich Pronsky, which brought to Vladimir the news of the invasion, after which Yuri Vsevolodovich sent his son Vsevolod with all the people. Prince Roman was killed at the battle of Kolomna, the son of Michael of Chernigov Pronsky also killed during the invasion [3].

The siege of the city lasted five days. The walls of the city were destroyed by powerful ramming and on December 21 Ryazan fell.

The battle
The Battle of Kolomna became the second after the Battle of the Kalka River by the battle of the united Russian troops against the Mongol Empire. By the number of troops and perseverance, the battle near Kolomna can be considered the most significant event of the invasion. On January 1, 1238, the Mongols' troops near Kolomna met not only with the remnants of the Ryazan troops, but also with the numerous squad of Grand Duke Yuri Vsevolodovich, reinforced by the militia of Vladimir-Suzdal Rus under the command of Yuri's son Vsevolod and the voevoda Yerem Glebovich. The Russian culture of military operations of that time assumed a meeting with the enemy in open battle. Therefore, the prince Vsevolod with the voivode Yereme Glebovich brought troops to the floodplain of the Moskva River to the river ice.

«	... the battle near Kolomna was fierce (the son of Genghis Khan Kulkan died, which indicates a possible blow to the Russian heavy cavalry - the temniks and Genghisides were usually in the rear of the fighting Mongols, led by them) and lasted 3 days [4]. " Consequences

Monument to Evpaty Kolovrat in Ryazan. "Within the land of Suzdal" the Mongols were unexpectedly attacked by a detachment led by the Ryazan boyar Evpatii Kolovrat, who returned from Chernigov "in a small squad" and strengthened at the expense of the remnants of the Ryazan troops. His squad numbered about 1700 people, in some sources, 2000 people are mentioned. Due to the surprise attack, he managed to inflict huge damage to the enemy. Some editions of The Tale of the Ruination of Ryazan by Batyus tell about the solemn funeral of Evpati Kolovrat in the Ryazan Cathedral on January 11, 1238 [5]. The first city of Suzdal land, lying on the way of the Mongols after the Battle of Kolomna - Moscow - was taken on January 20, 1238 after a 5-day siege. According toV. V. Kargalova, the collision occurred on the way between Ryazan and Kolomna.

Despite the fact that the Mongols defeated three Russian units separately, they suffered significant losses. After the capture of Vladimir in February 1238, they did not go to another open confrontation with the Russians - this time with the newly assembled Yuri Vsevolodovich army, and sent against him secondary forces (see Battle on the River City ). At the same time, the main forces of the Mongols spent two weeks on Torzhok, then refused to march on Novgorod and stayed for seven weeks under Kozelsky.