{"history":[],"article":{"id":"4bdbcb35-fc5a-4c82-8f46-96e674c98923","title":"Russo-Turkish War (1806–1812)","slug":"russo-turkish-war-1806-1812","content":":::summary\n![Russian Fleet after the Battle of Athos by Alexey Bogolyubov](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/Athosbattle.jpg)\n**Conflict:** Russo-Turkish War (1806–1812) \n**Partof:** the [Russo-Turkish Wars](https://bliptext.com/articles/history-of-the-russo-turkish-wars) and [Napoleonic Wars](https://bliptext.com/articles/napoleonic-wars) \n**Image Size:** 300px \n**Date:** 22 December 1806 – 28 May 1812 \n**Place:** [Moldavia](https://bliptext.com/articles/principality-of-moldavia), [Wallachia](https://bliptext.com/articles/principality-of-wallachia), [Armenia](https://bliptext.com/articles/armenians-in-the-ottoman-empire), [Caucasus](https://bliptext.com/articles/caucasus), and the [Dardanelles](https://bliptext.com/articles/dardanelles) \n**Result:** Russian victory [Treaty of Bucharest](https://bliptext.com/articles/treaty-of-bucharest-1812) \n**Territory:** Russia annexes the eastern half of [Moldavia](https://bliptext.com/articles/moldavia), which became known as [Bessarabia](https://bliptext.com/articles/bessarabia) \n**Combatant 1:** [Russian Empire](https://bliptext.com/articles/undefined) · [Principality of Mingrelia](https://bliptext.com/articles/principality-of-mingrelia)
· [Principality of Guria](https://bliptext.com/articles/principality-of-guria)
· [Principality of Abkhazia](https://bliptext.com/articles/principality-of-abkhazia)
· [Moldavia](https://bliptext.com/articles/moldavia)
· [Wallachia](https://bliptext.com/articles/wallachia)
· [Revolutionary Serbia](https://bliptext.com/articles/undefined)
· [Prince-Bishopric of Montenegro](https://bliptext.com/articles/undefined) \n**Combatant 2:** [Ottoman Empire](https://bliptext.com/articles/undefined) · [Budjak Horde](https://bliptext.com/articles/budjak-horde) (1806–1807) \n**Commander 1:** [Emperor Alexander I](https://bliptext.com/articles/alexander-i-of-russia) · Alexander Prozorovsky · [Pyotr Bagration](https://bliptext.com/articles/pyotr-bagration) · [Giorgio Giovanni Zuccato](https://bliptext.com/articles/giorgio-giovanni-zuccato) · [Nikolay Kamensky](https://bliptext.com/articles/nikolay-kamensky) · [Mikhail Kutuzov](https://bliptext.com/articles/mikhail-kutuzov) · [Dmitry Senyavin](https://bliptext.com/articles/dmitry-senyavin) · [Mikhail Miloradovich](https://bliptext.com/articles/mikhail-miloradovich) · [Ivan Gudovich](https://bliptext.com/articles/ivan-gudovich)
· [Nino of Mingrelia](https://bliptext.com/articles/nino-princess-of-mingrelia)
· [Levan V Dadiani](https://bliptext.com/articles/levan-v-dadiani)
· [Kelesh Ahmed-Bey Shervashidze](https://bliptext.com/articles/kelesh-ahmed-bey-shervashidze)
· [Aslan-Bey Shervashidze](https://bliptext.com/articles/aslan-bey-shervashidze)
· [Veniamin Costache](https://bliptext.com/articles/veniamin-costache)
· [Constantine Ypsilantis](https://bliptext.com/articles/constantine-ypsilantis)
· [Mamia V Gurieli](https://bliptext.com/articles/mamia-v-gurieli)
· [Karađorđe](https://bliptext.com/articles/kara-or-e)
· [Petar I](https://bliptext.com/articles/petar-i-petrovi-njego) \n**Commander 2:** Sultan Selim III Sultan Mustafa IV · [Sultan Mahmud II](https://bliptext.com/articles/mahmud-ii) [Yusuf Ziya Pasha](https://bliptext.com/articles/k-r-yusuf-ziya-ddin-pasha) [Seydi Ali Pasha](https://bliptext.com/articles/seydi-ali-pasha) [Ağa Hüseyin Paşa](https://bliptext.com/articles/tr-a-c4-9fa-h-c3-bcseyin-pa-c5-9fa) [Koca Hüsrev Pasha](https://bliptext.com/articles/koca-h-srev-mehmed-pasha) [Aziz Ahmed Pasha](https://bliptext.com/articles/laz-aziz-ahmed-pasha) [Ibrahim Hilmi Pasha](https://bliptext.com/articles/ibrahim-hilmi-pasha) \n**Casualties 1:** 70,000 killed \n**Casualties 2:** 100,000 killed \n:::\n\n# \nThe **Russo-Turkish War (1806–1812)** between the [Russian Empire](https://bliptext.com/articles/russian-empire) and the [Ottoman Empire](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottoman-empire) was one of the [Russo-Turkish Wars](https://bliptext.com/articles/russo-turkish-wars).\nRussia prevailed, but both sides wanted peace as they feared [Napoleon](https://bliptext.com/articles/napoleon)'s [moves to the east](https://bliptext.com/articles/napoleonic-wars).\n\n# Background\nThe war broke out against the background of the [Napoleonic Wars](https://bliptext.com/articles/napoleonic-wars).\nIn 1806, Sultan [Selim III](https://bliptext.com/articles/selim-iii), encouraged by the [Russian defeat at Austerlitz](https://bliptext.com/articles/battle-of-austerlitz) and advised by the [French Empire](https://bliptext.com/articles/first-french-empire), deposed the pro-Russian [Constantine Ypsilantis](https://bliptext.com/articles/constantine-ypsilantis) as [Hospodar](https://bliptext.com/articles/hospodar) of the Principality of [Wallachia](https://bliptext.com/articles/wallachia) and [Alexander Mourousis](https://bliptext.com/articles/alexander-mourousis) as [Hospodar](https://bliptext.com/articles/hospodar) of [Moldavia](https://bliptext.com/articles/moldavia), both Ottoman vassal states.\nSimultaneously, the French Empire occupied [Dalmatia](https://bliptext.com/articles/dalmatia) and threatened to penetrate the Danubian principalities at any time.\nIn order to safeguard the Russian border against a possible French attack, a 40,000-strong Russian contingent advanced into Moldavia and Wallachia.\nThe Sultan reacted by [blocking the Dardanelles to Russian ships](https://bliptext.com/articles/dardanelles-operation-1807) and declared war on Russia.\n\n# Early hostilities\nInitially, Emperor [Alexander I](https://bliptext.com/articles/alexander-i-of-russia) was reluctant to concentrate large forces against the Ottoman Empire while his relations with [Napoleon](https://bliptext.com/articles/napoleon)ic France were still uncertain and the main part of his army was occupied fighting against [Napoleon](https://bliptext.com/articles/napoleon) in [Prussia](https://bliptext.com/articles/prussia).\nA massive Ottoman offensive aimed at Russian-occupied [Bucharest](https://bliptext.com/articles/bucharest), the Wallachian capital, was promptly checked at Obilesti by as few as 4,500 soldiers commanded by [Mikhail Miloradovich](https://bliptext.com/articles/mikhail-miloradovich) (June 2, 1807).\nIn [Armenia](https://bliptext.com/articles/armenia), the 7,000-strong contingent of [Count Gudovich](https://bliptext.com/articles/ivan-gudovich) destroyed the Turkish force of 20,000 at [Arpachai](https://bliptext.com/articles/battle-of-arpachai) (June 18).\nIn the meantime, the [Russian Imperial Navy](https://bliptext.com/articles/russian-imperial-navy) under [Dmitry Senyavin](https://bliptext.com/articles/dmitry-senyavin) blockaded the [Dardanelles](https://bliptext.com/articles/dardanelles) and defeated the Ottoman fleet in the Battle of the [Dardanelles](https://bliptext.com/articles/dardanelles), after which [Selim III was deposed](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottoman-coups-of-1807-08).\nThe Ottoman fleet was destroyed the following month in the [Battle of Athos](https://bliptext.com/articles/battle-of-athos), thus establishing Russian supremacy at sea.\n\n# Campaigns of 1808–10\nAt this point the war might have ended, if it were not for the [Peace of Tilsit](https://bliptext.com/articles/peace-of-tilsit).\nThe Russian Emperor, constrained by Napoleon to sign an armistice with the Turks, used the time of peace to transfer more Russian soldiers from [Prussia](https://bliptext.com/articles/prussia) to [Bessarabia](https://bliptext.com/articles/bessarabia).\nAfter the southern army was augmented to 80,000 and the hostilities were resumed, the 76-year-old commander-in-chief [Prozorovsky](https://bliptext.com/articles/alexander-prozorovsky) made little progress in more than a year.\nIn August 1809 he was eventually succeeded by [Prince Bagration](https://bliptext.com/articles/pyotr-bagration), who promptly crossed the [Danube](https://bliptext.com/articles/danube) and overran [Dobruja](https://bliptext.com/articles/dobruja).\nBagration proceeded to lay siege to [Silistra](https://bliptext.com/articles/silistra), [at the village of Tataritsa](https://bliptext.com/articles/battle-of-tataritsa), the army of the Ottoman pasha attacked it, the Russians repulsed the attacks, but could not capture the Turkish trenches, and upon learning of the arrival of reinforcements, they lifted the siege and retreated.\nIn 1810, the hostilities were renewed by the brothers [Nikolay](https://bliptext.com/articles/nikolay-kamensky) and [Sergei Kamensky](https://bliptext.com/articles/sergei-kamensky), who defeated the Ottoman reinforcement heading for Silistra and ousted the Turks from [Hacıoğlu Pazarcık](https://bliptext.com/articles/dobrich) (May 22).\nThe position of Silistra now appeared hopeless, and the garrison surrendered on May, 30.\nTen days later, Kamensky laid siege to another strong fortress, [Shumla](https://bliptext.com/articles/shumla) (or Schumen).\nHis storm of the citadel was repelled at great loss of life, and more bloodshed ensued during the storming of the Danubian port of [Rousse](https://bliptext.com/articles/rousse) (or Rustchuk) on 22 July.\nThe latter fortress did not fall to the Russians until 9 September, after Kamensky's army had surprised and routed a huge Turkish detachment at [Batin](https://bliptext.com/articles/battle-of-batin) on 26 August.\nOn 26 October, Kamensky again defeated a 40,000-strong army of Osman Pasha at Vidin.\nThe Russians lost only 1,500 men, compared with 10,000 for their opponents.\nHowever, the young Nikolay Kamensky caught a serious illness on February 4, 1811 and died soon thereafter, left the army under the command of [Louis Alexandre Andrault de Langeron](https://bliptext.com/articles/louis-alexandre-andrault-de-langeron).\nTo this point, although the Russians had won many battles, they had failed to achieve any important victories that would force the Ottomans to end the war.\nFurthermore, relationship between France and Russia quickly became strained, pointing to the inevitable renewal of hostilities between the countries.\nThe Russian Empire found that she needed to end the southern war quickly in order to concentrate on dealing with Napoleon.\nIn such a situation, Tsar Alexander appointed his disfavoured general [Mikhail Kutuzov](https://bliptext.com/articles/mikhail-kutuzov) to be the new commander of the Russian force.\nAlexander might not like Kutuzov, but he needed Kutuzov's intelligence, his talent and his prestige in the Army, where he was thought to be the direct successor of Suvorov.\n\n# Kutuzov's campaign (1811)\nKutuzov's first action upon taking command was to reduce the size of the garrisons in the fortresses along the Danube and retreat back into Wallachia.\nThe Russian withdrawal induced the Turks to launch a counter-offensive to recapture lost territory.\nIn the spring of 1811, 60,000 Turkish troops led by Grand Vizier [Ahmed Pasha](https://bliptext.com/articles/laz-aziz-ahmed-pasha) gathered at [Šumnu](https://bliptext.com/articles/shumla), the strongest fortress in [Ottoman Bulgaria](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottoman-bulgaria) and set out on a campaign to confront Kutuzov's army.\nKutuzov's army was also large with 46,000 soldiers, however, he was responsible for protecting the full 600 mile Danube River border between Wallachia and Ottoman Bulgaria.\nOn 22 June 1811, the two forces met in battle at [Rusçuk](https://bliptext.com/articles/rousse) on the Danube.\nAfter a long struggle, the Russians successfully repelled Ahmed Pasha's larger army.\nA few days later as the Turks were preparing to attack the Russians in the Rusçuk fortress, Kutuzov ordered his forces to cross the Danube and retreat back into Wallachia.\nBelieving that the Russians were trying to escape, Ahmed Pasha decided to launch an attack.\nOn 28 August, 36,000 Turkish troops began to cross the Danube River to assault the Russians.\nThe Turkish force established a fortified bridgehead on the left bank of the river near the small village of Slobozia where they were quickly surrounded by two divisions of Kutuzov's army.\nThe remaining 20,000 men of Ahmed Pasha's army remained at the Turkish field camp on the right bank near Rusçuk where they guarded the munitions and supplies.\nOn the night of 1 October 1811, however, a Russian detachment of 7,500 men secretly crossed the Danube.\nIn the morning the Russians overwhelmed the Turkish troops in a surprise attack.\nThe Turks panicked and scattered, suffering 2,000 casualties.\nThereafter, the Russian forces completely enveloped the Turkish bridgehead on the left bank of the Danube and initiated an all-out artillery attack.\nFor approximately six weeks, the Russians sieged and bombarded the Turkish bridgehead.\nSurrounded with their supply lines cut, the Turks suffered not only from a persistent Russian bombardment but also from malnutrition and disease.\nA ceasefire was agreed upon on 25 October and approximately three weeks later on 14 November 1811, Ahmed Pasha agreed to a truce and formally surrendered to Kutuzov.\nThe magnitude of the Turkish defeat with 36,000 casualties, ended the war along the Danube and led to peace negotiations ultimately resulting in the signing of the [Treaty of Bucharest](https://bliptext.com/articles/treaty-of-bucharest-1812) on 28 May 1812.\n\n# Caucasus front\nSix years of war on the eastern front left the border unchanged.\nFighting here was more serious than during the [Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1792](https://bliptext.com/articles/russo-turkish-war-1787-1792), but it was still a sideshow to the main action.\nRussia crossed the Caucasus and annexed Georgia, the western half of which had been nominally Turkish.\nIt also had taken the [Persian](https://bliptext.com/articles/qajar-iran) vassal [khanates](https://bliptext.com/articles/khanate) along the Caspian coast and east of Georgia.\nThe area around modern Armenia ([Erivan Khanate](https://bliptext.com/articles/erivan-khanate) and [Nakhichevan Khanate](https://bliptext.com/articles/nakhichevan-khanate)) was still Persian.\nRussia was also [at war with Persia](https://bliptext.com/articles/russo-persian-war-1804-1813) but the Turks and Persians did not help each other.\nA large part of the Russian army was tied up because of Napoleon's threat in the west.\nThe [Russian Viceroys](https://bliptext.com/articles/caucasus-viceroyalty-1801-1917) were 1806: [Ivan Gudovich](https://bliptext.com/articles/ivan-gudovich), 1809: [Alexander Tormasov](https://bliptext.com/articles/alexander-tormasov), 1811: [Filippo Paulucci](https://bliptext.com/articles/filippo-paulucci), 1812: [Nikolay Rtishchev](https://bliptext.com/articles/nikolay-rtishchev).\nFighting with Turkey began in 1807 with the swift seizure of [Anapa](https://bliptext.com/articles/anapa) by Admiral Pustoshkin.\nGudovich led his main force toward [Akhaltsikhe](https://bliptext.com/articles/akhaltsikhe) but lost 900 men while trying to storm [Akhalkalaki](https://bliptext.com/articles/akhalkalaki) and withdrew to Georgia.\nSecondary campaigns against [Kars](https://bliptext.com/articles/kars) and [Poti](https://bliptext.com/articles/poti) also failed.\nThe Turks took the offensive, failed three times to take [Gyumri](https://bliptext.com/articles/gyumri) and then were completely defeated by Gudovich ([Battle of Arpachai](https://bliptext.com/articles/battle-of-arpachai)).\nHe was congratulated by the Shah, an interesting comment on the relations between the two Muslim empires.\nGudovich was replaced by Count Tormasov who arrived about April 1809.\nIn 1810 Poti on the coast was captured.\nA Turkish invasion was blocked by General Paulucci under the walls of Akhalkalaki.\nIn November 1810 a Russian attack on Akhaltsikhe failed due to an outbreak of plague.\nIn 1811 Tormasov was recalled at his own request and replaced by Paulucci in Transcaucasia, Rtishchev taking over the Northern Line.\nIn 1811 more troops were withdrawn to deal with the expected threat of Napoleon.\nTurks and Persians agreed on a joint attack toward Gyumri.\nThey met at ’Magasberd’ {location?} on 30Aug11.\nThere a Kurd assassinated the [Serasker](https://bliptext.com/articles/serasker) of [Erzurum](https://bliptext.com/articles/erzurum) and this caused the forces to break up.\nPaulucci sent [Pyotr Kotlyarevsky](https://bliptext.com/articles/pyotr-kotlyarevsky) against Akhalkalaki.\nHe made a forced march over the snow-covered mountains, avoiding the main roads, attacked at night, and had storming parties on the walls before the Turks knew the Russians were there.\nBy the morning of 10 December he held the fort with a loss of only 30 killed and wounded.\nFor this he was promoted to major-general at the age of 29.\nOn 21 February 1812 5000 Turks failed to re-take Akhalkalaki.\nThree days later they were defeated at Parghita {location?}.\nPaulucci was sent west to command troops against Napoleon, and Rtishchev became commander of forces on both sides of the Caucasus mountains.\nRussia decided to make peace, which was signed by the [Treaty of Bucharest (1812)](https://bliptext.com/articles/treaty-of-bucharest-1812).\n# [Southeast Europe after the Treaty of Bucharest | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/Southeast///Europe///1812///map///en.PNG]\n\n# Aftermath\nAccording to the Treaty, the [Ottoman Empire](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottoman-empire) ceded the eastern half of [Moldavia](https://bliptext.com/articles/moldavia) to Russia (which renamed the territory to [Bessarabia](https://bliptext.com/articles/bessarabia)), specifically, the territories east of [Danube](https://bliptext.com/articles/danube) and [Prut](https://bliptext.com/articles/prut) rivers, even though the [Ottoman Empire](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottoman-empire) had committed to protecting that region.\nRussia became a new power in the lower Danube area, and had an economically, diplomatically, and militarily profitable frontier.\nIn [Transcaucasia](https://bliptext.com/articles/transcaucasia), Turkey regained nearly all it had lost in the east: Poti, Anapa and Akhalkalali.\nRussia retained [Sukhum-Kale](https://bliptext.com/articles/sukhumi) on the Abkhazian coast.\nIn return, the Sultan accepted the Russian annexation of the [Kingdom of Imereti](https://bliptext.com/articles/kingdom-of-imereti), in 1810.\nThe treaty was approved by [Alexander I of Russia](https://bliptext.com/articles/alexander-i-of-russia) on June 11, some 13 days before [Napoleon's invasion of Russia](https://bliptext.com/articles/napoleon-s-invasion-of-russia) began.\nThe commanders were able to get many of the Russian soldiers in the Balkans back to the western areas before the expected attack of Napoleon.\n\n# Citations","current_revision":null,"created_by":"kACnuQmH5k9Nr5VNVEpVeg7XpvUmMctD","created_at":"2025-01-25T20:03:37.948Z","updated_at":"2025-01-25T20:03:37.948Z","search_vector":"'1806':5 '1812':6 'russo':2 'russo-turkish':1 'turkish':3 'war':4","search_content":" \n \n**Conflict:** Russo-Turkish War (1806–1812) \n**Partof:** the [Russo-Turkish Wars](https://bliptext.com/articles/history-of-the-russo-turkish-wars) and [Napoleonic Wars](https://bliptext.com/articles/napoleonic-wars) \n**Image Size:** 300px \n**Date:** 22 December 1806 – 28 May 1812 \n**Place:** [Moldavia](https://bliptext.com/articles/principality-of-moldavia), [Wallachia](https://bliptext.com/articles/principality-of-wallachia), [Armenia](https://bliptext.com/articles/armenians-in-the-ottoman-empire), [Caucasus](https://bliptext.com/articles/caucasus), and the [Dardanelles](https://bliptext.com/articles/dardanelles) \n**Result:** Russian victory [Treaty of Bucharest](https://bliptext.com/articles/treaty-of-bucharest-1812) \n**Territory:** Russia annexes the eastern half of [Moldavia](https://bliptext.com/articles/moldavia), which became known as [Bessarabia](https://bliptext.com/articles/bessarabia) \n**Combatant 1:** [Russian Empire](https://bliptext.com/articles/undefined) · [Principality of Mingrelia](https://bliptext.com/articles/principality-of-mingrelia) · [Principality of Guria](https://bliptext.com/articles/principality-of-guria) · [Principality of Abkhazia](https://bliptext.com/articles/principality-of-abkhazia) · [Moldavia](https://bliptext.com/articles/moldavia) · [Wallachia](https://bliptext.com/articles/wallachia) · [Revolutionary Serbia](https://bliptext.com/articles/undefined) · [Prince-Bishopric of Montenegro](https://bliptext.com/articles/undefined) \n**Combatant 2:** [Ottoman Empire](https://bliptext.com/articles/undefined) · [Budjak Horde](https://bliptext.com/articles/budjak-horde) (1806–1807) \n**Commander 1:** [Emperor Alexander I](https://bliptext.com/articles/alexander-i-of-russia) · Alexander Prozorovsky · [Pyotr Bagration](https://bliptext.com/articles/pyotr-bagration) · [Giorgio Giovanni Zuccato](https://bliptext.com/articles/giorgio-giovanni-zuccato) · [Nikolay Kamensky](https://bliptext.com/articles/nikolay-kamensky) · [Mikhail Kutuzov](https://bliptext.com/articles/mikhail-kutuzov) · [Dmitry Senyavin](https://bliptext.com/articles/dmitry-senyavin) · [Mikhail Miloradovich](https://bliptext.com/articles/mikhail-miloradovich) · [Ivan Gudovich](https://bliptext.com/articles/ivan-gudovich) · [Nino of Mingrelia](https://bliptext.com/articles/nino-princess-of-mingrelia) · [Levan V Dadiani](https://bliptext.com/articles/levan-v-dadiani) · [Kelesh Ahmed-Bey Shervashidze](https://bliptext.com/articles/kelesh-ahmed-bey-shervashidze) · [Aslan-Bey Shervashidze](https://bliptext.com/articles/aslan-bey-shervashidze) · [Veniamin Costache](https://bliptext.com/articles/veniamin-costache) · [Constantine Ypsilantis](https://bliptext.com/articles/constantine-ypsilantis) · [Mamia V Gurieli](https://bliptext.com/articles/mamia-v-gurieli) · [Karađorđe](https://bliptext.com/articles/kara-or-e) · [Petar I](https://bliptext.com/articles/petar-i-petrovi-njego) \n**Commander 2:** Sultan Selim III Sultan Mustafa IV · [Sultan Mahmud II](https://bliptext.com/articles/mahmud-ii) [Yusuf Ziya Pasha](https://bliptext.com/articles/k-r-yusuf-ziya-ddin-pasha) [Seydi Ali Pasha](https://bliptext.com/articles/seydi-ali-pasha) [Ağa Hüseyin Paşa](https://bliptext.com/articles/tr-a-c4-9fa-h-c3-bcseyin-pa-c5-9fa) [Koca Hüsrev Pasha](https://bliptext.com/articles/koca-h-srev-mehmed-pasha) [Aziz Ahmed Pasha](https://bliptext.com/articles/laz-aziz-ahmed-pasha) [Ibrahim Hilmi Pasha](https://bliptext.com/articles/ibrahim-hilmi-pasha) \n**Casualties 1:** 70,000 killed \n**Casualties 2:** 100,000 killed \n \n\n# \nThe **Russo-Turkish War (1806–1812)** between the [Russian Empire](https://bliptext.com/articles/russian-empire) and the [Ottoman Empire](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottoman-empire) was one of the [Russo-Turkish Wars](https://bliptext.com/articles/russo-turkish-wars).\nRussia prevailed, but both sides wanted peace as they feared [Napoleon](https://bliptext.com/articles/napoleon)'s [moves to the east](https://bliptext.com/articles/napoleonic-wars).\n\n# Background\nThe war broke out against the background of the [Napoleonic Wars](https://bliptext.com/articles/napoleonic-wars).\nIn 1806, Sultan [Selim III](https://bliptext.com/articles/selim-iii), encouraged by the [Russian defeat at Austerlitz](https://bliptext.com/articles/battle-of-austerlitz) and advised by the [French Empire](https://bliptext.com/articles/first-french-empire), deposed the pro-Russian [Constantine Ypsilantis](https://bliptext.com/articles/constantine-ypsilantis) as [Hospodar](https://bliptext.com/articles/hospodar) of the Principality of [Wallachia](https://bliptext.com/articles/wallachia) and [Alexander Mourousis](https://bliptext.com/articles/alexander-mourousis) as [Hospodar](https://bliptext.com/articles/hospodar) of [Moldavia](https://bliptext.com/articles/moldavia), both Ottoman vassal states.\nSimultaneously, the French Empire occupied [Dalmatia](https://bliptext.com/articles/dalmatia) and threatened to penetrate the Danubian principalities at any time.\nIn order to safeguard the Russian border against a possible French attack, a 40,000-strong Russian contingent advanced into Moldavia and Wallachia.\nThe Sultan reacted by [blocking the Dardanelles to Russian ships](https://bliptext.com/articles/dardanelles-operation-1807) and declared war on Russia.\n\n# Early hostilities\nInitially, Emperor [Alexander I](https://bliptext.com/articles/alexander-i-of-russia) was reluctant to concentrate large forces against the Ottoman Empire while his relations with [Napoleon](https://bliptext.com/articles/napoleon)ic France were still uncertain and the main part of his army was occupied fighting against [Napoleon](https://bliptext.com/articles/napoleon) in [Prussia](https://bliptext.com/articles/prussia).\nA massive Ottoman offensive aimed at Russian-occupied [Bucharest](https://bliptext.com/articles/bucharest), the Wallachian capital, was promptly checked at Obilesti by as few as 4,500 soldiers commanded by [Mikhail Miloradovich](https://bliptext.com/articles/mikhail-miloradovich) (June 2, 1807).\nIn [Armenia](https://bliptext.com/articles/armenia), the 7,000-strong contingent of [Count Gudovich](https://bliptext.com/articles/ivan-gudovich) destroyed the Turkish force of 20,000 at [Arpachai](https://bliptext.com/articles/battle-of-arpachai) (June 18).\nIn the meantime, the [Russian Imperial Navy](https://bliptext.com/articles/russian-imperial-navy) under [Dmitry Senyavin](https://bliptext.com/articles/dmitry-senyavin) blockaded the [Dardanelles](https://bliptext.com/articles/dardanelles) and defeated the Ottoman fleet in the Battle of the [Dardanelles](https://bliptext.com/articles/dardanelles), after which [Selim III was deposed](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottoman-coups-of-1807-08).\nThe Ottoman fleet was destroyed the following month in the [Battle of Athos](https://bliptext.com/articles/battle-of-athos), thus establishing Russian supremacy at sea.\n\n# Campaigns of 1808–10\nAt this point the war might have ended, if it were not for the [Peace of Tilsit](https://bliptext.com/articles/peace-of-tilsit).\nThe Russian Emperor, constrained by Napoleon to sign an armistice with the Turks, used the time of peace to transfer more Russian soldiers from [Prussia](https://bliptext.com/articles/prussia) to [Bessarabia](https://bliptext.com/articles/bessarabia).\nAfter the southern army was augmented to 80,000 and the hostilities were resumed, the 76-year-old commander-in-chief [Prozorovsky](https://bliptext.com/articles/alexander-prozorovsky) made little progress in more than a year.\nIn August 1809 he was eventually succeeded by [Prince Bagration](https://bliptext.com/articles/pyotr-bagration), who promptly crossed the [Danube](https://bliptext.com/articles/danube) and overran [Dobruja](https://bliptext.com/articles/dobruja).\nBagration proceeded to lay siege to [Silistra](https://bliptext.com/articles/silistra), [at the village of Tataritsa](https://bliptext.com/articles/battle-of-tataritsa), the army of the Ottoman pasha attacked it, the Russians repulsed the attacks, but could not capture the Turkish trenches, and upon learning of the arrival of reinforcements, they lifted the siege and retreated.\nIn 1810, the hostilities were renewed by the brothers [Nikolay](https://bliptext.com/articles/nikolay-kamensky) and [Sergei Kamensky](https://bliptext.com/articles/sergei-kamensky), who defeated the Ottoman reinforcement heading for Silistra and ousted the Turks from [Hacıoğlu Pazarcık](https://bliptext.com/articles/dobrich) (May 22).\nThe position of Silistra now appeared hopeless, and the garrison surrendered on May, 30.\nTen days later, Kamensky laid siege to another strong fortress, [Shumla](https://bliptext.com/articles/shumla) (or Schumen).\nHis storm of the citadel was repelled at great loss of life, and more bloodshed ensued during the storming of the Danubian port of [Rousse](https://bliptext.com/articles/rousse) (or Rustchuk) on 22 July.\nThe latter fortress did not fall to the Russians until 9 September, after Kamensky's army had surprised and routed a huge Turkish detachment at [Batin](https://bliptext.com/articles/battle-of-batin) on 26 August.\nOn 26 October, Kamensky again defeated a 40,000-strong army of Osman Pasha at Vidin.\nThe Russians lost only 1,500 men, compared with 10,000 for their opponents.\nHowever, the young Nikolay Kamensky caught a serious illness on February 4, 1811 and died soon thereafter, left the army under the command of [Louis Alexandre Andrault de Langeron](https://bliptext.com/articles/louis-alexandre-andrault-de-langeron).\nTo this point, although the Russians had won many battles, they had failed to achieve any important victories that would force the Ottomans to end the war.\nFurthermore, relationship between France and Russia quickly became strained, pointing to the inevitable renewal of hostilities between the countries.\nThe Russian Empire found that she needed to end the southern war quickly in order to concentrate on dealing with Napoleon.\nIn such a situation, Tsar Alexander appointed his disfavoured general [Mikhail Kutuzov](https://bliptext.com/articles/mikhail-kutuzov) to be the new commander of the Russian force.\nAlexander might not like Kutuzov, but he needed Kutuzov's intelligence, his talent and his prestige in the Army, where he was thought to be the direct successor of Suvorov.\n\n# Kutuzov's campaign (1811)\nKutuzov's first action upon taking command was to reduce the size of the garrisons in the fortresses along the Danube and retreat back into Wallachia.\nThe Russian withdrawal induced the Turks to launch a counter-offensive to recapture lost territory.\nIn the spring of 1811, 60,000 Turkish troops led by Grand Vizier [Ahmed Pasha](https://bliptext.com/articles/laz-aziz-ahmed-pasha) gathered at [Šumnu](https://bliptext.com/articles/shumla), the strongest fortress in [Ottoman Bulgaria](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottoman-bulgaria) and set out on a campaign to confront Kutuzov's army.\nKutuzov's army was also large with 46,000 soldiers, however, he was responsible for protecting the full 600 mile Danube River border between Wallachia and Ottoman Bulgaria.\nOn 22 June 1811, the two forces met in battle at [Rusçuk](https://bliptext.com/articles/rousse) on the Danube.\nAfter a long struggle, the Russians successfully repelled Ahmed Pasha's larger army.\nA few days later as the Turks were preparing to attack the Russians in the Rusçuk fortress, Kutuzov ordered his forces to cross the Danube and retreat back into Wallachia.\nBelieving that the Russians were trying to escape, Ahmed Pasha decided to launch an attack.\nOn 28 August, 36,000 Turkish troops began to cross the Danube River to assault the Russians.\nThe Turkish force established a fortified bridgehead on the left bank of the river near the small village of Slobozia where they were quickly surrounded by two divisions of Kutuzov's army.\nThe remaining 20,000 men of Ahmed Pasha's army remained at the Turkish field camp on the right bank near Rusçuk where they guarded the munitions and supplies.\nOn the night of 1 October 1811, however, a Russian detachment of 7,500 men secretly crossed the Danube.\nIn the morning the Russians overwhelmed the Turkish troops in a surprise attack.\nThe Turks panicked and scattered, suffering 2,000 casualties.\nThereafter, the Russian forces completely enveloped the Turkish bridgehead on the left bank of the Danube and initiated an all-out artillery attack.\nFor approximately six weeks, the Russians sieged and bombarded the Turkish bridgehead.\nSurrounded with their supply lines cut, the Turks suffered not only from a persistent Russian bombardment but also from malnutrition and disease.\nA ceasefire was agreed upon on 25 October and approximately three weeks later on 14 November 1811, Ahmed Pasha agreed to a truce and formally surrendered to Kutuzov.\nThe magnitude of the Turkish defeat with 36,000 casualties, ended the war along the Danube and led to peace negotiations ultimately resulting in the signing of the [Treaty of Bucharest](https://bliptext.com/articles/treaty-of-bucharest-1812) on 28 May 1812.\n\n# Caucasus front\nSix years of war on the eastern front left the border unchanged.\nFighting here was more serious than during the [Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1792](https://bliptext.com/articles/russo-turkish-war-1787-1792), but it was still a sideshow to the main action.\nRussia crossed the Caucasus and annexed Georgia, the western half of which had been nominally Turkish.\nIt also had taken the [Persian](https://bliptext.com/articles/qajar-iran) vassal [khanates](https://bliptext.com/articles/khanate) along the Caspian coast and east of Georgia.\nThe area around modern Armenia ([Erivan Khanate](https://bliptext.com/articles/erivan-khanate) and [Nakhichevan Khanate](https://bliptext.com/articles/nakhichevan-khanate)) was still Persian.\nRussia was also [at war with Persia](https://bliptext.com/articles/russo-persian-war-1804-1813) but the Turks and Persians did not help each other.\nA large part of the Russian army was tied up because of Napoleon's threat in the west.\nThe [Russian Viceroys](https://bliptext.com/articles/caucasus-viceroyalty-1801-1917) were 1806: [Ivan Gudovich](https://bliptext.com/articles/ivan-gudovich), 1809: [Alexander Tormasov](https://bliptext.com/articles/alexander-tormasov), 1811: [Filippo Paulucci](https://bliptext.com/articles/filippo-paulucci), 1812: [Nikolay Rtishchev](https://bliptext.com/articles/nikolay-rtishchev).\nFighting with Turkey began in 1807 with the swift seizure of [Anapa](https://bliptext.com/articles/anapa) by Admiral Pustoshkin.\nGudovich led his main force toward [Akhaltsikhe](https://bliptext.com/articles/akhaltsikhe) but lost 900 men while trying to storm [Akhalkalaki](https://bliptext.com/articles/akhalkalaki) and withdrew to Georgia.\nSecondary campaigns against [Kars](https://bliptext.com/articles/kars) and [Poti](https://bliptext.com/articles/poti) also failed.\nThe Turks took the offensive, failed three times to take [Gyumri](https://bliptext.com/articles/gyumri) and then were completely defeated by Gudovich ([Battle of Arpachai](https://bliptext.com/articles/battle-of-arpachai)).\nHe was congratulated by the Shah, an interesting comment on the relations between the two Muslim empires.\nGudovich was replaced by Count Tormasov who arrived about April 1809.\nIn 1810 Poti on the coast was captured.\nA Turkish invasion was blocked by General Paulucci under the walls of Akhalkalaki.\nIn November 1810 a Russian attack on Akhaltsikhe failed due to an outbreak of plague.\nIn 1811 Tormasov was recalled at his own request and replaced by Paulucci in Transcaucasia, Rtishchev taking over the Northern Line.\nIn 1811 more troops were withdrawn to deal with the expected threat of Napoleon.\nTurks and Persians agreed on a joint attack toward Gyumri.\nThey met at ’Magasberd’ {location?} on 30Aug11.\nThere a Kurd assassinated the [Serasker](https://bliptext.com/articles/serasker) of [Erzurum](https://bliptext.com/articles/erzurum) and this caused the forces to break up.\nPaulucci sent [Pyotr Kotlyarevsky](https://bliptext.com/articles/pyotr-kotlyarevsky) against Akhalkalaki.\nHe made a forced march over the snow-covered mountains, avoiding the main roads, attacked at night, and had storming parties on the walls before the Turks knew the Russians were there.\nBy the morning of 10 December he held the fort with a loss of only 30 killed and wounded.\nFor this he was promoted to major-general at the age of 29.\nOn 21 February 1812 5000 Turks failed to re-take Akhalkalaki.\nThree days later they were defeated at Parghita {location?}.\nPaulucci was sent west to command troops against Napoleon, and Rtishchev became commander of forces on both sides of the Caucasus mountains.\nRussia decided to make peace, which was signed by the [Treaty of Bucharest (1812)](https://bliptext.com/articles/treaty-of-bucharest-1812).\n# [Southeast Europe after the Treaty of Bucharest | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/Southeast///Europe///1812///map///en.PNG]\n\n# Aftermath\nAccording to the Treaty, the [Ottoman Empire](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottoman-empire) ceded the eastern half of [Moldavia](https://bliptext.com/articles/moldavia) to Russia (which renamed the territory to [Bessarabia](https://bliptext.com/articles/bessarabia)), specifically, the territories east of [Danube](https://bliptext.com/articles/danube) and [Prut](https://bliptext.com/articles/prut) rivers, even though the [Ottoman Empire](https://bliptext.com/articles/ottoman-empire) had committed to protecting that region.\nRussia became a new power in the lower Danube area, and had an economically, diplomatically, and militarily profitable frontier.\nIn [Transcaucasia](https://bliptext.com/articles/transcaucasia), Turkey regained nearly all it had lost in the east: Poti, Anapa and Akhalkalali.\nRussia retained [Sukhum-Kale](https://bliptext.com/articles/sukhumi) on the Abkhazian coast.\nIn return, the Sultan accepted the Russian annexation of the [Kingdom of Imereti](https://bliptext.com/articles/kingdom-of-imereti), in 1810.\nThe treaty was approved by [Alexander I of Russia](https://bliptext.com/articles/alexander-i-of-russia) on June 11, some 13 days before [Napoleon's invasion of Russia](https://bliptext.com/articles/napoleon-s-invasion-of-russia) began.\nThe commanders were able to get many of the Russian soldiers in the Balkans back to the western areas before the expected attack of Napoleon.\n\n# Citations","revisionCount":0},"hasMore":false,"nextCursor":null}

History