Having defeated the North-Eastern Russia, the Mongol-Tatars moved to Novgorod, but, not reaching it, some hundred kilometers turned back. Novgorodians said that God saved them. But modern people should understand that there are other reasons, and not God's providence.
One of the common versions of the salvation of Veliky Novgorod is the fear of the Mongol Khan Batu to get bogged down in the Novgorod lands, because spring was coming, and with it the thaw. Given that it was the 13th century, there was no normal road infrastructure at that time. This version deserves the right to have a place. Although, to date, some researchers say that that year was very cold, and you could not wait for an early thaw.
The second version is a decrease in the combat effectiveness of the Mongol-Tatar army. Moving through the territory of Russia and constantly accepting battles with the Russian army, the Tatars could not but bear losses that were not replenished with fresh forces. In addition, approaching Novgorod, the Mongolian army would encounter the squad of the Novgorod prince Alexander Yaroslavovich (the future hero of the Neva battle and the Battle of the Ice), who had not previously participated in battles in the territory of Russia with the Tatars, and therefore kept full combat readiness. Yes, and Novgorod itself was perfectly fortified and did not suffer from princely feuds that took place on the territory of Russia.
There is a third version - the rich Veliky Novgorod, who traded with many countries, simply paid off the Mongol-Tatars. After all, the latter went to Russia with one purpose - to obtain prey, or, as they said then, for a tribute. And they got it. And why destroy the city, which then again will lay out a ransom on demand, in order to avoid ruin. And Batu perfectly understood this.
Be that as it may, but Veliky Novgorod stood at that formidable time, and continued to live. Lived and Russia, gradually recovering and rising from the ruins, collecting forces in an iron fist to repulse enemies.
