Russian victory at Kinburn in 1787 secured the Dnieper delta approaches and denied the Ottomans a base from which to threaten Kherson and Ochakov.
Key Facts
- War
- Russo-Turkish War (1787–1792)
- Date
- 11–12 October 1787 (N.S.)
- Outcome
- Russian victory
- Strategic site
- Kinburn Spit, Dnieper river delta
- Opposing base
- Ochakov, held by Ottomans
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Ottoman Empire sought to eliminate Kinburn, a weak Russian-held fortress on a sandbank opposite Ochakov, as a precautionary measure. By removing the Russian foothold there, the Ottomans aimed to deny their enemy a staging point for any future siege of Ochakov and the strategically important Kherson fleet base.
On 11–12 October 1787 (N.S.), Ottoman forces attacked the Kinburn Spit in an attempt to seize the fortress. Russian army and naval forces defended the position in a combined-arms engagement. Despite the fortification being described as weak, Russian defenders repelled the assault and retained control of the spit.
The battle ended in a decisive Russian victory, frustrating the Ottoman plan to neutralize Kinburn. Russia maintained its defensive anchor at the Dnieper delta, preserving the security of the Kherson fleet base and keeping open options for future operations against Ochakov during the broader 1787–1792 war.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent