“Mongol invasion” in Russia and Europe

In the 14th episode of the ’Forgotten History’ series on the radio station GOVORIT MOSKVA (’Moscow is Speaking’), which aired on February 27, 2016, economist Andrey Podoynitsyn discusses the so-called ‘Mongol invasion’ and ‘Mongol Yoke’ in Russia and Europe. He argues that there was no Tatar-Mongol invasion. Medieval Russia of the 14th-16th centuries and the ‘Mongolian’ Empire were the same. The concepts of ‘Tatars’ and ‘Mongols’ did not appear until the 19th century. During the time of the alleged invasion, the way of life did not change; the same local authorities remained in power, the Russian Orthodox Church flourished, and the tithe tax was not burdensome. The Battle of Kulikovo was an act of civil war. Modern genetic studies confirm that the Tatar-Mongol yoke left a mark only in traditional history, not in the genes.