The Bulgar State centered in lower Volga and Kama is the center of the fur trade in Eurasia throughout most of its history.

Before the Mongol conquest, Russians of Novgorod and Vladimir repeatedly loot and attack the area, thereby weakening the Bulgar state's economy and military power.

The latter had ambushed the Mongols in late 1223 or in 1224.

Several subsequent clashes occur between 1229–1234, and the Mongol Empire conquers the Bulgars in 1236.

The Mongol invasion of Rus' had been heralded by the Battle of the Kalka River in 1223 between Subutai's reconnaissance unit and the combined force of several Rus' princes.

After fifteen years of peace, it is followed by Batu Khan's full-scale invasion during 1237 to 1240.

The invasion, facilitated by the breakup of Kievan Rus' in the twelfth century, has incalculable ramifications for the history of Eastern Europe, including the division of the East Slavic people into three separate nations and the rise of the Grand Duchy of Moscow.