The Polish raid on Kievan Rus' (1136)^{[lower-alpha 1]} was a retaliatory military expedition led by Boleslaw III the Wrymouth against the Ruthenian lands in retaliation for the destruction of Wiślica and its environs by the Ruthenians a year earlier.

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Quick Facts Date, Location ...

Polish raid on Kievan Rus' (1136)
Part of Polish-Russian Wars
Bolesław III Wrymouth forces, by S. Hajkowski
Date 1136 Location Kievan Rus Result Polish victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Poland	Kievan Rus Volhynia
Commanders and leaders
Bolesław III Wrymouth	Yaropolk II of Kiev
Strength
Unknown	Heavy

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In an effort to seek justice for the betrayal of the Pannonian, and the treacherous slaughter carried out by the Ruthenian prince Yaropolk II of Kiev, son of Vladimir II Monomakh, within the walls of Wiślica, the Polish king Bolesław III Wrymouth resolved to retaliate fittingly.^[1]: 147 His call to arms extended beyond the nobility, encompassing common folk and peasants alike, all fueled by a shared desire for retribution.^{[2]: 390 [1]: 147}

Filled with unbridled rage, Bolesław III Wrymouth launched a merciless attack on the lands of Kievan Rus', driven by an unwavering determination to hold Kievan Prince Yaropolk II and his son Volodymyrko Volodarovych accountable for their dishonorable acts.^{[2]: 390 [1]: 147 [3][4]} In the meantime, tormented by remorse over his participation in the heinous crime, Yaropolk anticipated the inevitable wrath of Prince Boleslaw and decided to leave his fortified strongholds, seeking refuge in the remote and dangerous lands of the Rus lands, dense forests, tangled thickets and impassable swamps.^{[2]: 390 [1]: 147}

As Bolesław's forces advanced, their mission was clear, to avenge the innocent lives lost.^[4] This pursuit of justice, however, descended into a frenzied massacre, sparing no Ruthenian soul. The onslaught spared neither age nor innocence, children and even lifeless homesteads fell victim to the unchecked fury of the Polish forces.^{[2]: 391 [1]: 147}

The aftermath of the massacre presented a grim picture, a landscape marked by destruction, with casualties exceeding conventional war. Unrelenting in their pursuit of revenge, Bolesław's lust for vengeance was uncompromising, no ransom could buy mercy.^[2]: 391

The bloodstained streets of Wiślica became the catalyst for a brutal campaign of revenge.^[2]: 391 Entire communities surrounding the Principality of Volhynia were subjected to ruthless devastation and scorched earth tactics. Countless captives, both human and animal, were forcibly taken as spoils of war, destined for Polish soil as trophies during this retaliatory campaign by Bolesław.^{[2]: 391 [1]: 148}

• Ruthenian raid on Poland (1135)
• Bolesław III Wrymouth