The first mention refers to 996. It was founded by prince Volodymyr and it had the name of Vasyliv. That name was given to the prince after baptism. After the defeat in a battle with Pechenegi tribes Volodymyr vowed Preobrazhens'ka church to God for the safety. That church was built in a year. In 1157 the city had got the modern name.
In 1586 it received the Magdebourg Right.
Since 1648 it was a squadron city of Kyiv regiment