The defense of Kozelsk in 1238

The defense of Kozelsk (1238) is one of the most important events in the history of Mongolian campaigns and invasions of Russia. March 25 began the defense of the city from the troops of Batu. It lasted 7 weeks. During this time, the residents showed themselves to be excellent experts in defense tactics and became an example of the Russian inflexible spirit.

Value of Kozelsk

Kozelsk has always had a special strategic significance once it was founded. He was called "looking east." Kozelsk in Russia bordered on the steppe and was an outpost from attacks by the Khazars, Pechenegs and Polovtsians.

Total unlucky

But for all its history the city has always been unlucky. He was often visited by the enemies of Russia. First Baty attacked his army, then he burned Khan Ahmad, furious because of the forced parking on the Ugra. Attacked Kozelsk even Napoleon, and in 1941 the city was captured by the Germans.

Prehistory of Kozelsk

The defense of Kozelsk took place during the Tatar-Mongol invasion. Residents defended themselves against the troops of Batu. His attack on the city contributed to many reasons. One of the main ones is a long-standing hatred of Kozelsk. The guilt was the prince Mstislav, who took part in the murder of the Mongolian ambassadors. This massacre occurred in 1223 on the Kalka River. Despite the fact that Prince Mstislav in 1238 was no longer alive, hatred for him remained.

The Mongols were eager to revenge for the past. And they believed that all subjects of Mstislav must share responsibility for what he had done, because they were loyal to him. Therefore, during the massacre, the defense of Kozelsk lasted 7 weeks. But other Russian princes did not come to the aid of the inhabitants. They had to defend their city on their own.

The advantages of Kozelsk during his siege

Workers built Kozelsk, given the geography of the area. This was important for the defense of the city. Defenders of Kozelsk in this knowledge. The city was on a high hill. From all sides he was surrounded by water. From the east - r. Zhizdra, from the west - r. Drugusna. Due to the currents of the rivers, steep cliffs formed around the hill. Therefore, it was simply impossible to get to the city from the west and east.

From the north side of Kozelsk, its inhabitants dug an artificial canal. He was between the rivers and slowed their flow. Because of this, the area was swamped around the canal. And thanks to this, getting to Kozelsk was very difficult. Especially when the snow began to melt. Then the city became an island that is surrounded by water from all sides.

Therefore, the defense of Kozelsk lasted a very long time. Batu, besieging the city, found himself in a difficult situation. Mongolian nomads are used to fighting in the steppe. But the city was on a hill. And because of this, it was not possible to build siege towers, the technology of which was borrowed from the Chinese.

In addition to the fact that Kozelsk was reliably protected by natural obstacles, it was also surrounded by a bulk shaft. And around the walls on the outer side of the city was surrounded by a dense wooden palisade and towers, from which archers fired arrows.

Thanks to such a good defense, Kozelsk was able to withstand a long siege. The army of Batu and its fighting vehicles could not get close to the walls of the city for a long time. Residents of Kozelsk correctly used their advantages and effectively protected the fortified part (detinets) from the Tatar hordes.

Causes of protracted defense

The defense of Kozelsk from the troops of Batu was prolonged. And there were many reasons for that. One of them is the spring mudslide. She turned the city into an impregnable island. Batu's army was cut off by mudslides not only from Kozelsk, but also from large units of Storm and Kadan. As a result, there was no need to get help from the necessary reserves.

In the spring Batu did not have at his disposal the necessary number of soldiers to fight against natural obstacles to the coveted city. The Tatar-Mongols decided to wait until the flood was over, and to attack Kozelsk with new forces. And Batu's army was very worn out by this time.

Fidelity of the defenders of Kozelsk

Residents of Kozelsk had no illusions about the Tatars and Mongols. The princely squad, along with the detachment of Mstislav Chernigov, was already fighting the enemy on Kalka. Prince Vasili during the siege of the city of Baty was only 12 years old. But he knew the price of the enemy's promises.

Tatars tried to pressure the city's residents morally, saying that under the leadership of the young prince they could not stand it. But the opinion of the townspeople was unanimous. They decided that at least their prince was small for the time being, but they would rather die for him and keep their fame rather than the Tatars surrender.

The defense of the city of Kozelsk was truly heroic. While the Tatar-Mongol troops awaited the approach of the Storms and Kadan, camped near the city from the south, residents of Kozelsk did not expect resignedly new attacks. The townspeople constantly made night sorties and attacked the Tatar-Mongol camp unexpectedly.

For seven weeks Batu came into a rage from the sabotage of the inhabitants of Kozelsk. But to surrender to the position meant losing the respect and authority of the commander-in-chief. They had already been greatly shaken after Baty had retreated from Novgorod.

Treason of Kozelsk

There is an opinion that the defense of Kozelsk from the Mongol-Tatars could last longer. But ended because of betrayal. This is confirmed, though indirect. Next to Kozelsky there is a small village of Deshovka. Its name in the people she received because of the fact that the inhabitants were traitors. It was handed over to the Horde. There is a possibility that the inhabitants intimidated by the Mongols pointed to the weak points of the city, which was almost unassailable due to natural protection.

Defenders of Kozelsk

The defense of Kozelsk lasted almost two months, the inhabitants fought desperately, constantly repulsing the attacks of the Tatar-Mongols. But Batu was helped by new Mongolian troops led by Storm and Kadan. These commanders were the descendants of Genghis Khan. Thanks to fresh forces and treachery, the residents of the village of Deshovki Kozelsk were able to take in three days.

The Tatar-Mongols ascended the rampart and destroyed part of the wall of the detinets. At this time, the main gate opened, and 300 residents came out to repel the attack. But they were armed only with swords. All were lost, but, according to legend, about 4,000 invaders were killed. Among them were three military commanders from the Chingizids. But then their bodies were never found among the corpses. And the little prince Vasili was also killed.

The feats of the inhabitants of Kozelsk

The defense of Kozelsk ended in three days, when the troops of Buri and Kadan came out against the city. They brought new siege weapons. At first the ditch was buried near the south wall. Then the Tatars were able to install next to the external fortifications of the machine-vices. And some of the walls were destroyed. A bloody massacre began. But the besieged were able to fight off the Tatars.

Immediately afterwards, the guardsmen launched another sortie. They attacked the assaults from the flank, bypassing them from the rear. As a result, many siege weapons were destroyed and many Tatars were killed. But reinforcements arrived, and the kozeltsev were killed.

Taking Kozelsk

Upon learning of the dead, Baty came to an indescribable rage. Among the killed commanders were his relatives and friends. Batu gave the order to spare no one after taking Kozelsk, even women and children.

As soon as the troops of Buri and Kadan approached, they began to systematically shell the city. The continuous assault lasted two days. Then the Tatar-Mongols used their favorite trick-a false retreat. The Kozels decided that they had won, and the Tatars retreated. They went outside the walls of the city to pursue the enemy. But the Mongols suddenly went on the offensive and killed almost everyone.

Kozelsk was left without protection. The last battle took place in the prince's court. Prince Vasily was hidden in a narrow pit. But he could not get out of there after the fight. Therefore, as many dead bodies were piled on top. When the prince was found, he was already dead. Maybe he suffocated from lack of air, or maybe he choked on the blood draining from the pit from the corpses.

Disappointment after the victory

The defense of Kozelsk for the residents was a nightmare, but Batu suffered huge losses. Because of this, the enraged Tatar-Mongols turned the city into ruins. Batyi renamed Kozelsk into "The Evil City" and forbade even mentioning the former name. And he gave the new for the stamina and perseverance of the inhabitants, who so long could resist.

After the capture of Kozelsk, Batu was greatly disappointed. In the ruined city there was nothing left that could be taken care of. According to the chroniclers, there was not even a goat's hoof. The troops stayed at Kozelsky for a month and began to rapidly lose their fighting capacity. To return to its popularity and raise the fighting spirit of the fighters, Batu declared the main goal, instead of Russian principalities, Polovtsian steppes.