Tokhtamysh's Capture of Moscow (1382)

Having defeated Mamai and reunited the Golden Horde, Khan Tokhtamysh demanded obedience and tribute from Moscow. In August 1382 he marched on the city suddenly with a large army. Prince Dmitry Donskoy was away in the north raising help.

The defence was left to a small garrison and the townspeople, who held the walls for several days. According to the Russian chronicles, Tokhtamysh declared that he came in peace and had the gates opened, then his army poured in. On 26 August the city was taken, plundered and burned; thousands were killed or carried off.

The campaign showed that the Golden Horde was still powerful after Kulikovo. Dmitry Donskoy had to submit to the khan again and resume paying tribute, and it took Moscow another century to free itself fully from the Horde.