History/Background
In Slavic mythology, the word zmey are used to describe a dragon. Most of these words are masculine forms of the Slavic word for "snake", which is normally feminine (like Russian zmeya). Although quite similar to other European dragons, Slavic dragons have their peculiarities. In Ukraine and Russia, this particular dragon-like creature, Zmey Gorynych, has three heads, is green, walks on two back paws, has small front paws, and spits fire. According to one epic, Zmey Gorynych was killed by Dobrynya Nikitich.
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