Yaropolk I Sviatoslavich

Yaropolk I Sviatoslavich (c. 958–978), eldest son of Sviatoslav Igorevich, became prince of Kiev after his father's death in 972. War soon broke out between him and his brothers Oleg and Vladimir. In 977 he defeated Oleg, who died in the fighting, and took Novgorod, forcing Vladimir to flee to Scandinavia.

Vladimir returned in 978 with Varangian mercenaries and seized Polotsk and Kiev. Yaropolk's adviser Blud betrayed him, urging him to flee to Rodnya, where Vladimir besieged him, and Yaropolk was murdered at a parley on 11 June 978. His Greek wife bore Sviatopolk the Accursed, whose father may have been Yaropolk or Vladimir.