More important still, the Empire of the Khan was falling into pieces.

The process had been hastened by a tremendous victory obtained by the Grand Prince Dmitri in 1378, on the banks of the Don.
In the same way that Alexander Nevski obtained the surname of Nevski by the battle on the Neva, so Dmitri Donskoi won his upon the river Don.
Hitherto the Tatars had been resisted, but not attacked.

It was the first real outburst against the Mongol yoke, and it shook the foundations of their authority.

Then dissensions among themselves, and the struggles of numerous claimants for the throne at Sarai broke the Golden-Horde into five Khanates each claiming supremacy..