Constantinople, unable to effectively respond to the Bulgarian campaign due to the engagement of its forces against the Arabs, persuades the Magyars to attack Bulgaria, promising to transport them across the Danube using the imperial navy.

Leo VI may have also concluded an agreement with Arnulf to make sure that the Franks do not support Simeon against the Magyars.

In addition, the talented commander Nikephoros Phokas is called back from southern Italy to lead a separate army against Bulgaria in 895 with the mere intention to overawe the Bulgarians.

Simeon, unaware of the threat from the north, rushes to meet Phokas' forces, but the two armies do not engage in a fight.

Instead, Constantinople offers peace, informing him of both the imperial foot and maritime campaign, but intentionally does not notify him of the planned Magyar attack.

Simeon does not trust the envoy and, after sending him to prison, orders the imperial navy's route into the Danube closed off with ropes and chains, intending to hold it until he has dealt with Phokas.

Despite the problems they encounter because of the fencing, the imperial forces ultimately manage to ferry the Magyar forces led by Árpád's son Liüntika across the Danube, possibly near modern Galaţi, and assists them in pillaging the nearby Bulgarian lands.

Once notified of the surprise invasion, Simeon heads north to stop the Magyars, leaving some of his troops at the southern border to prevent a possible attack by Phokas.

Simeon's two encounters with the enemy in Northern Dobruja result in Magyar victories, forcing him to retreat to Drǎstǎr.