Russian victory at Larga over a vastly larger Ottoman-Tatar force opened the path to the decisive Battle of Kagul two weeks later.
Key Facts
- Date
- 18 July 1770 (O.S. 7 July)
- Russian forces
- 38,000 troops
- Ottoman-Tatar forces
- 80,000 (65,000 Tatars + 15,000 Ottomans) troops
- Cannons captured
- 33 Turkish cannons
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Award to Rumyantsev
- Order of Saint George, 1st degree
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774 brought Russian and Ottoman forces into conflict across the Danube region. A combined army of 65,000 Crimean Tatars under Qaplan II Giray and 15,000 Ottomans advanced into Moldavia, prompting Field-Marshal Rumyantsev to engage them along the Larga River, a tributary of the Prut.
On 18 July 1770, roughly 38,000 Russian troops under Rumyantsev attacked the numerically superior Ottoman-Tatar force on the banks of the Larga River in Moldavia. After eight hours of fighting, the Russians achieved a decisive victory, capturing 33 Turkish cannons and overrunning the enemy camp.
The Russian victory at Larga, though significant in itself, was quickly overshadowed by an even greater success at the Battle of Kagul just two weeks later. Rumyantsev was awarded the Order of Saint George of the 1st degree for his leadership, and Russian momentum in the war was substantially strengthened.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Field-Marshal Rumyantsev.
Side B
2 belligerents
Qaplan II Giray.