In 1180, Ingvar Yaroslavich joined Ryurik Rostislavich in his struggle against Sviatoslav Vsevolodovich of Chernigov.
[2] According to the Tale of Igor's Campaign, Ingvar was "six-winged" and is noted for not acquiring his lands by war.
[3] In 1183, for instance, Ingvar refused to accommodate Vladimir II Yaroslavich in Dorogobuzh, who had been banished from Galicia.
In 1202, Ingvar was appointed ruler of Kiev instead of the ousted Ryurik Rostislavich in accordance with a deal between Roman Mstislavich of Galicia and Vsevolod the Big Nest, the grand prince of Vladimir.
After a battle near Belgorod, Ingvar voluntarily ceded Kiev to Mstislav Romanovich and left for Lutsk.