In the autumn of 1237, the Mongol Horde led by Batu Khan invaded the Rus' principality of Ryazan.

[5] The writer of the Rus' chronicle described the aftermath of the battle with the words "There was none left to groan and cry".

[citation needed] The city of Old Ryazan was completely destroyed and was never rebuilt,[6] though archeologist M. W. Thompson wrote "Life was soon renewed.

In the fourteenth century, however, the capital of the princedom was for several reasons, including repeated raids by Tartars because of its proximity to the steppe, transferred to Pereyaslavl-Ryazansky (renamed Ryazan in 1778).

"[7] After the destruction of Ryazan, Batu Khan's horde pushed on into the principality of Vladimir-Suzdal.