The Mongol invasions of Europe are centered in their destruction of Russian principalities, such as Kiev and Vladimir, under the leadership of Subutai.
The Mongols then invade the Kingdom of Hungary and the fragmented Poland, the former invasion commanded by Batu Khan, a grandson of Genghis Khan, and the latter a diversion commanded by Kadan, also a grandson of Genghis Khan, though both invasions are also masterminded by Subutai.Historians have debated since the thirteenth century whether or not the Eastern European campaigns of the Mongols had macrohistorical importance.
Most military historians believe they essentially were diversions, meant to frighten the Western powers sufficiently to keep them out of the Mongols' affairs in the East, specifically in Russia.
The evidence does indicate that Batu Khan was primarily interested in securing the western frontiers of his Russian conquests, and only after the swift destruction of both the Hungarian and Polish armies did he begin thinking about the conquest of Western Europe.
Mongolian records indicate that Subutai was planning a complete conquest of the remaining European powers, beginning with a winter attack on Austria and other states of the Holy Roman Empire, when he was recalled to Mongolia upon the death of Ögedei Khan.To the Mongols the European invasions are a third theater of operations, second to both the Middle East and Song China.
