Аннотация:The headwaters of fluvial systems on the East European Plain between the boundaries ofthe Marine Isotope Stage 2 (MIS 2) and MIS 6 glaciations evolved during the last 150,000 years. Atleast three main events of high surface runoff caused intensive erosion: at the end of MIS 6, at theend of MIS 2 and in the Middle Holocene. Erosion developed in the territory with variable resistanceof geological substrate, from hard-to-erode tills to weak sandy deposits. All erosional features inmoraines formed in the pre-Holocene time. Even relatively large forms, such as balkas (small dryvalleys), have not yet reached concave longitudinal profiles. A general tendency of their developmentwas deepening. Short episodes of incision occurring during climatic events with increased waterflow alternated with long periods of stabilization. Sand-covered areas are most favorable for linearerosion. The gullies formed in the Middle Holocene developed concave longitudinal profiles. Thediversity of catchment areas, initial slope inclinations and sediment properties causing their resistanceto erosion led to greater differences in the relief features and evolution of the upper reaches of thefluvial systems within the MIS 6 glaciation area compared to the more uniform landscape conditionsin the extraglacial regions.