Editing Tokhtamysh (section)

==Campaign against Moscow==
[[File:Facial Chronicle - b.10, p.049 - Tokhtamysh at Moscow.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Tokhtamysh and the armies of the [[Golden Horde]] rally in front of Moscow, 1382.]]

Encouraged by his success, as well as the growth of his manpower and wealth, Tokhtamysh next turned to the [[Russia]]n principalities, although he did not necessarily seek a conflict from the start. Similarly, the Grand Prince of [[Vladimir-Suzdal]], [[Dmitry Donskoy]] had recently defeated Mamai at great cost at [[Battle of Kulikovo|Kulikovo]], and was not looking for a confrontation, as he would have had difficulty to muster a great army again. He duly acknowledged Tokhtamysh as the new khan and his suzerain, but although he sent rich gifts, Dmitrij withheld the payment of tribute. When Tokhtamysh's envoy, Āq Khwāja, came to invite the Russian princes to the khan's court for the confirmation of their diplomas of investiture, he was faced with so much hostility by the population, that he turned back after reaching [[Nizhny Novgorod|Nižnij Novgorod]].<ref>Howorth 1880: 226; Grousset 1970: 407; Seleznëv 2009: 184; Počekaev 2010: 162.</ref>

Tokhtamysh prepared for war in 1382. Intending to catch his enemy by surprise, he began by ordering the arrest and robbing of Russian merchants on the Volga and the confiscation of their boats. Crossing the river with his entire army, he attempted to advance secretly, but attracted much attention. Seeking to ingratiate himself with the khan, Grand Prince [[Oleg II of Ryazan|Oleg Ivanovič of Rjazan']] placed himself at the khan's disposal, pointing out the fords over the [[Oka (river)|Oka river]]; Grand Prince [[Dmitry of Suzdal|Dmitrij Konstantinovič of Nižnij Novgorod]] also submitted readily and sent his sons Vasilij and Semën to join Tokhtamysh's campaign as guides. Grand Prince Dmitrij of Moscow did not submit, but left a strong garrison in his capital under the [[Lithuania]]n prince Ostej and sought out the greater safety of [[Kostroma]], from where he hoped to gather greater forces. After taking [[Serpukhov]], Tokhtamysh's forces reached and [[Siege of Moscow (1382)|besieged Moscow]] on 23 August 1382. Three days later, the citizens were tricked into surrendering by Vasilij and Semën of Nižnij Novgorod, and Tokhtamysh's troops stormed into the city, slaughtering, plundering and finally razing it for the insubordination of its ruler. Other cities taken by the Mongols during the campaign included [[Vladimir, Russia|Vladimir]], [[Zvenigorod]], [[Yuryev-Polsky (town)|Jur'ev]], [[Pereslavl-Zalessky|Perejaslavl'-Zalesskij]], [[Dmitrov]], [[Kolomna]], and [[Mozhaysk|Možajsk]]. On his way back, Tokhtamysh also sacked [[Ryazan|Rjazan']], despite the cooperation of its prince.<ref>Howorth 1880: 226–228; Grousset 1970: 407, 436; Halperin 1987: 56; Seleznëv 2009: 183; Počekaev 2010: 163–164.</ref>