In 1238, after ravaging Ryazan, Vladimir, Torzhok, and Moscow, Batu Khan decided not to take Novgorod, which was surrounded by a strong wall, and turned back. He divided his large army into smaller groups, each of which followed a different route to reach the steppe border and meet at Kozelsk. When the residents learned that the Mongol hordes were approaching, they decided to defend the city at all costs.