Mstislav of Chernigov

Mstislav Vladimirovich
Mtislav defeats Prince Rededya in single combat, painting by Nicholas Roerich (1943)
Prince of Tmutarakan
Reign	988 or after–c. 1035
Predecessor	Monarchy established
Successor	united with Kievan Rus' (from 1054 Sviatoslav I)
Prince of Chernigov
Reign	1024–c. 1035
Predecessor	Monarchy established
Successor	united with Kievan Rus' (from 1054 Sviatoslav I)
Died	c. 1035
Burial	Holy Savior Cathedral, Chernigov
Issue	Eustaphius
House	Rurik
Father	Vladimir the Great
Mother	Rogneda of Polotsk or a Czech woman

Mstislav Vladimirovich^[a] (died c. 1035) was the earliest attested prince of Tmutarakan and Chernigov in Kievan Rus'. He was a younger son of Vladimir the Great, the grand prince of Kiev. His father appointed him to rule Tmutarakan, an important fortress by the Strait of Kerch, in or after 988.

He invaded the core territories of Kievan Rus', which were ruled by his brother, Yaroslav the Wise, in 1024. Although Mstislav could not take Kiev, he forced the East Slavic tribes dwelling to the east of the Dniester River to accept his suzerainty. Yaroslav the Wise also accepted the division of Kievan Rus' along the river after Mstislav had defeated him in a battle fought at Listven by Chernigov. Mstislav transferred his seat to the latter town, and became the first ruler of the principality emerging around it.
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