Mamai, having concluded negotiations with Prince Jogaila of Lithuania and Russian prince Oleg of Ryazan, a fierce enemy to Dmitri, sets his camp on the shore of Don, waiting for the forces of his allies to arrive.
Dmitri, aware of the approaching armies of Lithuania and Ryazan, decides to attack Mamai immediately before he can be reinforced, and on the evening September 7, 1380, leads Russian forces across the Don.
At the lifting of thick fog around 11 AM, the armies battle for three hours.
The outnumbered Russian forces prevail, although suffering great casualties in holding off the Horde's attack.
The cavalry of Vladimir, Prince of Serpukhov (Dmitri's cousin), led by Dmitri Bobrok, Prince of Volynia, launches a flanking surprise counter-strike and achieves victory over the Horde forces.
Although this victory does not end the Tatar domination over Russia, it enhances the prestige of the grand duke of Moscow in the eyes of the other Russian rulers and has finally broken the age-long tradition of submission to the Khanate of the Blue Horde.
