A decisive Russian victory over Ottoman forces that helped end the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774 and established Alexander Suvorov's reputation as a commander.
Key Facts
- Date
- 20 June 1774 (O.S. 9 June)
- Russian forces engaged
- 8,000 men
- Russian forces available (Suvorov's corps)
- ~19,500 men
- Ottoman forces
- ~40,000 men
- War context
- Russo-Turkish War, 1768–1774
- Ottoman morale factor
- One year of withheld back pay
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774 had weakened Ottoman forces through successive defeats and poor logistics, including a year of withheld soldier pay. Russian commanders Suvorov and Kamensky advanced on the Ottoman position near Kozludzha with a significantly smaller force, exploiting Ottoman demoralization.
On 20 June 1774, a Russian force of approximately 8,000 men under Lieutenant-General Alexander Suvorov and Count Mikhail Kamensky engaged and routed an Ottoman army estimated at 40,000 near the village of Kozludzha. The battle was one of the final major engagements of the war and resulted in a decisive Russian victory.
Despite the victory, Russian commanders declined to advance beyond the Balkan Mountains due to poor roads and supply constraints. Commander-in-chief Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky blamed Kamensky for the operational halt. Nevertheless, the battle compelled the Ottomans to negotiate, and a peace treaty favorable to Russia was soon concluded.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Alexander Suvorov, Mikhail Kamensky, Pyotr Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky.
Side B
1 belligerent