Russia Defeats Mongols at Kulikovo: Yoke Weakens
Grand Prince Dmitry Ivanovich of Moscow led roughly 60,000 Russian soldiers across the Don River on September 8, 1380, to confront a Tatar-Mongol army under Mamai on the plain of Kulikovo. Dmitry deliberately burned the bridges behind him to prevent retreat, then deployed a hidden reserve cavalry in a forest on the flank. The battle raged for hours until the Russian center nearly broke. At the critical moment, the ambush cavalry struck the Mongol flank, routing Mamai's forces. The victory earned Dmitry the surname "Donskoy" (of the Don). While Moscow continued paying tribute to the Golden Horde for another century, Kulikovo shattered the myth of Mongol invincibility and established Moscow as the center of Russian national identity.
September 8, 1380
646 years ago
Key Figures & Places
Russia
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Mongol
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Battle of Kulikovo
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Tatars
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Battle of Kulikovo
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Tula (Rusia)
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Moscow
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Muscovy
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Golden Horde
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1999 Russian apartment bombings
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Cavalry
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Grand prince
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Dmitry Donskoy
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Mongols
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Blue Horde
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Mamai
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Russians
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Tártaros
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Asie centrale
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