Yaropolk I Sviatoslavich was Prince of Kiev from 972 to 978. He was the oldest son of Sviatoslav I. His mother was Malusha, who was a steward in the household of his grandmother, Olga of Kiev.

Sviatoslav or Svyatoslav I Igorevich was Prince of Kiev from 945 until his death in 972. He is known for his persistent campaigns in the east and south, which precipitated the collapse of two great powers in Eastern Europe, Khazaria and the First Bulgarian Empire. He conquered numerous East Slavic tribes, defeated the Alans and attacked the Volga Bulgars, and at times was allied with the Pechenegs and Magyars (Hungarians).