Editing 1237 (section)

==== Mongol Empire ====
* Autumn &ndash; [[Mongol invasion of Kievan Rus']]: The Mongol army commanded by [[Batu Khan]] and [[Subutai]], invades the [[Principality of Ryazan]] (with representatives of all four [[khanate]]s leading some 100,000 Mongol, [[Turkic peoples|Turks]] and [[History of Iran|Persian]] forces into [[Europe]]). In December, Batu Khan sends envoys to the Rus' court of Grand Prince [[Yuri of Ryazan|Yuri Igorevich]] and demands the submission of the capital [[Ryazan]].
* [[Battle of Voronezh River]]: Grand Prince [[Yuri II of Vladimir]] supported by border princes of [[Ryazan]], [[Murom]], and [[Pronsky District|Pronsk]] gathers his forces and make a stand on the [[Voronezh (river)|Voronezh River]], waiting for reinforcements from [[Vladimir, Russia|Vladimir]]. The Mongols under Batu Khan overrun the Rus' forces, who are scattered. Yuri retreats to Ryazan, while some troops withdraw to [[Kolomna]] and join the army of [[Vladimir-Suzdal]].
* [[December 16]]&ndash;[[December 21|21]] &ndash; [[Siege of Ryazan]]: The Mongols under Batu Khan lay siege to Ryazan. The townspeople repel the first Mongol attacks but after 5 days the city walls are breached by Chinese catapults. On [[December 21]], the Mongols storm the walls and plunder the capital, killing Yuri Igorevich and all inhabitants. Yuri II of Vladimir stands by and does nothing to intervene while Ryazan burns.
* December &ndash; [[Siege of Kolomna]]: Rus' forces under Yuri II of Vladimir are besieged and annihilated at Kolomna by the Mongols. Yuri barely escapes to [[Yaroslavl]]. The defenceless capital of Vladimir is taken after just 2 days. Yuri's wife Agatha (sister of [[Michael of Chernigov]]) and all his family die in Vladimir when a church where they have sought refuge from the fire collapses.