Who called for not disgracing the Russian land?
Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich of Old Russia, grandson of Rurik and son of Prince Igor, declared war on the Byzantine Empire in 970. Although the enemy's army was vastly superior in number, he did not flinch or waver and went into battle.
Chronicles of that time recount that, in 967, Svyatoslav set out on a campaign to the Danube, lured by the promise of generous gifts from Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus. The latter asked him to punish the Bulgarians, who were allowing Hungarians to pass through their lands to raid Byzantine territories.
The Kievan prince's army routed the enemy, capturing at least 80 fortresses, including Dorostol and Pereslavets. But, he was forced to return home: In his absence, the Pechenegs had laid siege to Kiev. Having managed to defend the principality and leaving his eldest son Yaropolk in his place, Svyatoslav returned: "I do not wish to remain in Kiev; I want to live in Pereyaslavets on the Danube – there lies the heart of my realm."
This proximity didn't suit John Tzimiskes, the new Byzantine emperor, who wanted the Old Russian prince's troops to return home, abandoning the captured territories. Svyatoslav, however, demanded tribute for all captured cities and a ransom for the captives. In response, the emperor could think of nothing better than to threaten the prince. The prince acted simply: he began preparing for battle, announcing his intention to reach Constantinople.
The ‘Tale of Bygone Years’ recounts how the cunning Greeks decided to find out the size of the Old Russian prince's army and sent 100 men against his 10,000. Realizing that the forces were unequal, Svyatoslav Igorevich addressed his warriors: "We have nowhere left to go; whether we want to or not, we must fight! So, let us not disgrace the Russian land, but lay our bones here, for the dead know no shame. If we flee, however, it will be a disgrace to us. So, let us not flee, but stand firm and I will go ahead of you: if my head falls, then take care of your own." And the warriors replied: "Where your head falls, there we will lay down ours."
Svyatoslav fought bravely side by side with his warriors, but, ultimately, fell short. He then managed to negotiate a peace treaty, agreeing to abandon Bulgaria and retreat to Kiev. Upon his return, he was killed in an ambush by the Pechenegs, who were likely encouraged by the Byzantines.
