Dobrynya Nikitich

[3] The following summary is after the version localized in the Povenets District of Olonets Province, collected by A. F. Gilferding in 1871, from the singer P. L. Kalinin:[4] The bylina starts with Dobrynya's mother telling Dobrynya to avoid the Saracen Mountains, not to trample on baby dragons, not to rescue Russian captives, and not to bathe in the Puchai River.

When he bathed in the Puchai River, he encountered a dragon with twelve trunks (in some variants identified as the Zmey Gorynych[3]).

The dragon broke the promise immediately and flew off to Kiev, abducting Zabava Putyatishna, the niece of Prince Vladimir.

Dobrynya complained to his mother he had neither steed nor spear for the task, and is given the heirloom horse Burko and a magic Shemakhan whip of braided silk.

[4] On November 2, 2024, A seal belonging to a descendant of the Russian hero Dobrynya Nikitich was found during excavations in the center of Oryol, Russia, reported archaeologist and historian Oleg Radyush.

According to Oleg, this seal probably belonged to the Kiev governor, the voyevode (general) Putyata Vyshatich (son of Vyshata Dobrynych, grandson of Dobrynya Nikitich).