Novgorod was almost the only important city in Russia which escaped the ravages of this terrible foe.
Bati continued his career of conquest, and, in 1245, was almost undisputed master of Russia, of many of the Polish provinces, of Hungary, Croatia, Servia, Bulgaria on the Danube, Moldavia and Wallachia.

He then returned to the Volga and established himself there as permanent monarch over all these subjugated realms.

No one dared to resist him.

Bati sent a haughty message to the Grand Prince Yaroslaf at northern Vladimir, ordering him to come to his camp on the distant Volga.

Yaroslaf, in the position in which he found himself--Russia being exhausted, depopulated, covered with ruins and with graves--did not dare disobey.