Campaign of Igor Svyatoslavich Novgorod-Seversky to Polovtsy

In the spring of 1185, Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich went to his northeastern possessions to collect soldiers to go to the Don Polovtsy for the whole summer ^[1] , and Igor, together with his brother Vsevolod , prince of Kursk and Trubchevsky , and nephew Svyatoslav Olgovich , prince of Rylsky , undertook new trip. Together with the Kovuy squad (the nomadic population of the left bank of the Dnieper , dependent on the Chernigov princes, akin to the right-bank black hoods , dependent on the Kiev princes) they moved to the banks of the Donets .

Sources indicate the participation in the clash of almost all the famous Polovtsian tribal groups in southeastern Europe (Toxoba, Durut, Etoba, etc.), with the exception of Lukomorsky Polovtsy and Burchevichs (Burjoglu) defeated in 1183-1184.

The annalistic story about the campaign of Prince Igor against the Polovtsy ^[2] contains information on the battle order of the troops of the Russian princes of that time, which, compared to the 11th century, began to crush not only along the front, but also in depth, while the regiment was also mentioned for the first time in front of a large regiment. composed of shooters from all other regiments. At the first meeting with the Polovtsy on the Syurly River (on Friday morning), Igor was lucky, and a large booty was captured. The persecution by the advanced regiment of Vladimir Igorevich and the regiment of the left hand of Svyatoslav Olgovich was organized, while the main forces (the large regiment of Igor and the regiment of the right hand of Vsevolod) continued to maintain construction.

On the shores of the Kayala, the Russian army encountered the main forces of the Polovtsy (Saturday morning). The numerical superiority of the Polovtsians was so serious that the subsequent battle was fought by Russian troops in the encirclement. Leading the battle, they moved to the Donets. Igor dismissed the option of escaping from the Polovtsy in the horse ranks, as he did not want to leave black people to the mercy of fate. The chronicle also gives an interesting detail, also testifying to the peculiarities of military affairs of that time: having received a wound, Igor continued to move on horseback. On Sunday morning, after a day of continuous fighting on the go, the troops reached the lake and began to go around it. The “Word about Igor’s Regiment” contains a detail missing in the annals about Igor changing the direction of his regiment to help Vsevolod’s regiment. Kovuy could not stand it and ran, trying to escape from the environment. Igor galloped across to try to get them back, but he did not succeed. He also could not return back. He was captured, like the rest of the princes. Many warriors died. The “Word about 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 .

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

Igor escaped from captivity, leaving there his son Vladimir , who returned later, marrying Konchak's daughter.

This campaign of Igor Svyatoslavich against the Polovtsy served as a canvas for the famous “Words about Igor's Regiment” .