Smolensk State Museum Reserve

Smolensk emerged on territory that was owned by the Kriviches; the first mention occurred in Ustyugh (Arhangelogorod) compiled chronicle dated 863 , when Askold and Dir during the campaign from Novgorod to Tsarigrad skirted the town, because it was heavily fortified and crowded. In 882, the city was occupied and attached to the Kievan Rus by Knyazh Oleg, submit ted it to the inheritance of Knyazh Igor, because of whom childhood the power in the city was exercised by governors and brigade, and the overall management was carried out in Kiev.