Voivode Dmytro was appointed military commander of Kiev by Prince Danylo of Galicia in 1239, charged with defending the city from the Mongols

Mongols

Mongols ) are a Central-East Asian ethnic group that lives mainly in the countries of Mongolia, China, and Russia. In China, ethnic Mongols can be found mainly in the central north region of China such as Inner Mongolia...

. Following a protracted siege, the city's walls were breached and fighting commenced within the city. After Kiev fell on December 6, 1240

Siege of Kiev (1240)

The Siege of Kiev by the Mongols took place between November 28th and December 6th, 1240, resulting in a Mongol victory. It was a heavy moral and military blow to Halych-Volhynia and allowed Batu Khan to proceed westward into Europe.- Background :...

, Voivode Dmytro was spared by the Mongol leader Batu Khan

Batu Khan

Batu Khan was a Mongol ruler and founder of the Ulus of Jochi , the sub-khanate of the Mongol Empire. Batu was a son of Jochi and grandson of Genghis Khan. His ulus was the chief state of the Golden Horde , which ruled Rus and the Caucasus for around 250 years, after also destroying the armies...

for the courage he showed in the defense of the city, though he had ordered the execution of the Mongol emissaries just before the siege.