The rebels took Skoupoi (modern Skopje), the capital of the Theme of Bulgaria, where Georgi Voyteh remained as a commander while Bodin marched to Naissus.

The Emperor managed to seize the town, but, in the meantime, Skopje was besieged by a large Byzantine army.

Voyteh, who thought that he was unprepared to face a long siege or that he wouldn't receive help from Bodin, opened negotiations with the Byzantine general Michael Saronites and finally surrendered.

He repented later of this act of cowardice and sent a secret message to Constantine Bodin suggesting that he should strike at Skoupoi while the Byzantines were unprepared for it.

The Bulgarian Emperor headed to Skoupoi (Skopje), but was ambushed and defeated marking the end of the uprising.