In Slavic folklore, Zmey Gorynych is the three-headed dragon defeated by the hero Dobrynya Nikitich.
Zmey Gorynych is a major dragon figure in East Slavic folklore and byliny, traditional heroic narrative songs. His name is commonly translated as “Serpent Gorynych,” with “Gorynych” often connected to mountains or a father named Gorynya, depending on interpretation. He is typically shown as a winged, fire-breathing dragon with three heads, although some versions give him more heads.
The best-known encounter places him against Dobrynya Nikitich, one of the three principal bogatyrs, or heroic warriors, of Russian epic tradition. Dobrynya battles the monster and eventually defeats him, though the exact events vary among versions. In some narratives, the dragon has captured or threatens a princess, reflecting a familiar heroic pattern.
Zmey Gorynych should not be confused with the serpent-dragon Zmey, a broader folkloric category. Nor is he identical to the Slavic god Veles, who can take serpent-like forms. His defining combination is multiple heads, fire, flight, and the Dobrynya legend.