Kouria, chief of the Petchenegues, cut off the head of Sviatoslaf, and ever after used his skull for a drinking cup.

The annalist Strikofski, states that he had engraved upon the skull the words, "In seeking the destruction of others you met with your own." A few fugitives from the army of Sviatoslaf succeeded in reaching Kief, where they communicated the tidings of the death of the king.
The empire now found itself divided into three portions, each with its sovereign.

Yaropolk was supreme at Kief.

Oleg reigned in the spacious country of the Drevliens.

Vladimir was established at Novgorod.