The Battle of Kulikovo was fought between a Muscovite-led alliance of Russian principalities and the Mongol Golden Horde in 1380. The Russian victory over the Mongols marked the turning point at which Mongol influence began tow ane and Moscow's power began to rise.
History[]
By the mid-14th century, civil wars had weakened the authority of the Mongol Golden Horde, which had dominated Russia for a century. Prince Dmitri of Moscow took advantage of this by ceasing regular tribute payments. In reponse, the Mongol general Mamai raised an army, which included Genoese crossbowmen. He allied with Jogaila of Lithuania and Oleg of Ryazan, planning to launch a massed combined attack against the Muscovites. But Dmitri managed to intercept hte Mongols at Kulikovo, near the Don River, before they could link up with their allies, who were just 25 miles away. Before the battle a champion from each side met in single combat, but both died. The ensuing fighting was fierce and both sides suffered heavy casualties. Dmitri eventually won the day by launching a flanking counterattack, and Mamai fled the field. After the battle Dmitri was given the sobriquet "Donski" ("of the Don"). Kulikovo was the first battle in which a Russian army was victorious over the Mongols.