 Ibn Rusta wrote that the Magyars subjected the neighboring Slavic peoples , imposing " a heavy tribute on them " and treating them as prisoners . The Magyars also " made piratical raids on the Slavs " and sold those captured during these raids to the Byzantines in Kerch on the Crimean peninsula . A band of Magyar warriors attacked the future Saint Cyril the Philosopher " howling like wolves and wishing to kill him " in the steppes near the Crimea , according to the saint 's legend . However , Cyril convinced them to " release him and his entire retinue in peace " . The inhabitants of the regions along the left bank of the Dniester – whom the Russian Primary Chronicle identified as Tivertsi – fortified their settlements in the second half of the 9th century , which seems to be connected to the Magyars ' presence . 
