The first helmets appeared in Russia at the end of the 9th century. The headgear had an elongated shape, while Western European counterparts were shorter. Russian helmets were better protected against striking and chopping weapons, which glided on a smooth surface. The height of the crest prevented direct hits, allowing only for a side blow. This could cause concussion or “stun” the warrior.

The helmet was fastened under the chin with a strap to ensure that the warrior did not lose it during battle, with a coif worn under it. In Russia, coifs made from wolf or badger fur were most common, though felt coifs were occasionally used as well.

In “The Tale of the Battle with Mamai”, it is mentioned that during the battle, the Grand Prince’s armor was “all beaten and ulcerated, yet the prince himself did not have any mortal wounds on his body”. The Grand Prince definitely wore a reliable helmet to protect himself from enemy blows.

In the Russian chronicles, there is another example of armor use. In 1151, during an internecine battle on the banks of the Rut River (in today’s Kiev Oblast), the great Kiev prince Izyaslav Mstislavovich was knocked off his horse. The prince’s guards, in the heat of battle, did not recognize him and wanted to kill him. One of the soldiers struck Izyaslav’s helmet with a sword. The helmet “bore an image of Great Martyr Saint Panteleimon”. The soldier’s blow “struck the helmet to the forehead”. However, Izyaslav managed to remove his helmet and was recognized.