# Sviatoslav destroys the Khazar Khaganate (965)

URL: https://history-russia.com/timeline/965-sviatoslav-destroys-the-khazar-khaganate
Categories: battle

Around 965 Sviatoslav I attacked the Khazars, captured their fortress of Sarkel on the Don and sacked Itil on the Volga. The Khazar Khaganate never recovered. Sviatoslav also subdued the Vyatichi and attacked Volga Bulgaria. The fall of Khazaria removed Kiev's great rival but opened the steppe to the Pechenegs.

## Why it matters
The fall of Khazaria removed Kiev's great rival but opened the steppe to the Pechenegs.

Ruler at the time: [Sviatoslav I](https://history-russia.com/rulers/sviatoslav-i)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Sviatoslav I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sviatoslav_I)
- [Wikipedia — Sarkel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarkel)
- [Wikipedia — Kievan Rus'](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kievan_Rus')
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Sviatoslav destroys the Khazar Khaganate](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Sviatoslav+destroys+the+Khazar+Khaganate)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of Russian history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Russian_history)