Chernaia Rus

Chernaia Rus’

 

a historical region in the basin of the upper course of the Neman River. Chernaia Rus’ included the cities of Grodno, Novgorodok, Slonim, Nesvizh, and Zditov.

Until the 13th century part of Chernaia Rus’ was in the Polotsk Principality. Between 1240 and 1260, Chernaia Rus’ came under the rule of the Lithuanian prince Mindaugas and the Galician-Volynian princes. Together with the Lithuanian lands, Chernaia Rus’ formed the core of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 14th century.