Siege of Varna
Encyclopedia
Siege of Varna was a war episode during the Russo-Turkish War, 1828-1829
.
Varna
was held by the Ottoman
army. The approach to Varna by Russian forces was first attempted on June 28, but the Russian avantgardes were met by significant Turkish forces, and the siege was postponed.
By the end of July the Black Sea Fleet under command of Aleksey Greig approached Varna and delivered the landing forces. In the mid-August the Guards Corps arrived to Varna, with Emperor Nicholas I
. The siege was put under the command of Adjutant general
Menshikov, with total forces of 23,000 personnel and 170 artillery pieces against the 20,000 garrison of Varna.
In an attempt to desiege Varna, Omer Vryonis
Pasha brought a 20,000 army, but was successfully held off.
Eventually Varna was taken with 6,900 prisoners and 140 artillery pieces.
However the Russians suffered big losses during the summer-autumn campaign, and withdrew from Varna and Danube
to resume the campaign in the following spring.
Russo-Turkish War, 1828-1829
The Russo–Turkish War of 1828–1829 was sparked by the Greek War of Independence. The war broke out after the Sultan, incensed by the Russian participation in the Battle of Navarino, closed the Dardanelles for Russian ships and revoked the Akkerman Convention....
.
Varna
Varna
Varna is the largest city and seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast and third-largest in Bulgaria after Sofia and Plovdiv, with a population of 334,870 inhabitants according to Census 2011...
was held by the Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
army. The approach to Varna by Russian forces was first attempted on June 28, but the Russian avantgardes were met by significant Turkish forces, and the siege was postponed.
Nicholas I of Russia
Nicholas I , was the Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855, known as one of the most reactionary of the Russian monarchs. On the eve of his death, the Russian Empire reached its historical zenith spanning over 20 million square kilometers...
. The siege was put under the command of Adjutant general
Adjutant general
An Adjutant General is a military chief administrative officer.-Imperial Russia:In Imperial Russia, the General-Adjutant was a Court officer, who was usually an army general. He served as a personal aide to the Tsar and hence was a member of the H. I. M. Retinue...
Menshikov, with total forces of 23,000 personnel and 170 artillery pieces against the 20,000 garrison of Varna.
In an attempt to desiege Varna, Omer Vryonis
Omer Vryonis
Omer Vrioni was a leading Ottoman figure in the Greek War of Independence.-Early life:Omer Vrioni was an Albanian from the village of Vrioni near Berat, with a distinguished record in the battles in Egypt against Napoleon. When Ali Pasha revolted against the Porte, Omer was his treasurer...
Pasha brought a 20,000 army, but was successfully held off.
Eventually Varna was taken with 6,900 prisoners and 140 artillery pieces.
However the Russians suffered big losses during the summer-autumn campaign, and withdrew from Varna and Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
to resume the campaign in the following spring.