Siege of Vladimir

Siege of Vladimir
Part of Mongol invasion of Rus
Mongols under the walls of Vladimir.
Date February 3–8, 1238 Location Modern Russia Result Mongol victory
Belligerents
Mongol Empire	Vladimir-Suzdal
Commanders and leaders
Batu Khan	Prince Vsevolod Yuryevich †
Strength
At least one tumen(10000) of nomad cavalry	Few thousands civilians
Casualties and losses
Light	Entire force, survivors enslaved

Siege of Vladimir was part of Mongol invasion of Rus.

Prelude

After the destruction of Ryazan on December 21, 1237, Grand Prince Yuri II left capital city of Vladimir in charge of his son Vsevolod and fled to Yaroslavl, seeking help from his cousins, Princes of Rostov and Novgorod. However, speed of Mongols was such that Kolomna fell barely 10 days after Ryazan, and Moscow only 3 weeks later, leaving people of Vladimir to fend for themselves.

Siege

Defense of Vladimir was entrusted to Grand Prince's sons Vsevolod and Mstislav, but their forces were weak, as most of the army perished at Kolomna, hoping to stop the invaders on the border. Thus, after receiving word of destruction of Kolomna in January 1238, bishop Mitrofan let most of the citizens to take monastic wows in order to prepare for imminent death. After only token resistance city was taken on February 8, 1238.

Aftermath

Receiving word of the siege of Vladimir, Grand Prince Yuri II attempted to reach the city and break the siege, but his small army was surrounded and defeated at the Sit River.