# Oleg takes Kiev (882)

URL: https://history-russia.com/timeline/882-oleg-takes-kiev
Categories: ruler-change

Oleg, Rurik's kinsman and successor, sailed down the Dnieper, killed the local rulers Askold and Dir and took Kiev. He made it his capital, reportedly calling it 'the mother of Rus' cities'. Oleg united the northern and southern ends of the route from the Varangians to the Greeks. The capture of Kiev is taken as the foundation of Kievan Rus', the common ancestor state of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

## Why it matters
The capture of Kiev is taken as the foundation of Kievan Rus', the common ancestor state of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

Ruler at the time: [Oleg](https://history-russia.com/rulers/oleg)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Oleg the Wise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oleg_the_Wise)
- [Wikipedia — Kievan Rus'](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kievan_Rus')
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Oleg takes Kiev](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Oleg+takes+Kiev)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of Russian history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Russian_history)