Battle of Nikopol
Niğbolu District, Rusçuk Sanjak, Tuna Province, Ottoman Empire (today Nikopol, Bulgaria)
What happened
Russian General Nikolay Kridener's IX Corps attacked the Ottoman garrison of Nikopol, led by Hasan Pasha, before Osman Pasha's army could arrive to help. In 1877 Russia went to war with the Ottoman Empire, partly in anger at the violent crushing of a Bulgarian uprising the year before. Russian armies crossed the Danube River into what is now Bulgaria, and Kridener's corps reached the fortress town of Nikopol. After a bombardment, the Ottoman garrison surrendered before Osman Pasha's army could come from Vidin to help.
Why it matters
Result: Russian victory. Leaders: Nikolay Kridener against Osman Pasha. Why it matters: The capture of Nikopol opened the road to the town of Plevna, where one of the longest sieges of the war took place. The war led to Bulgaria's freedom from Ottoman rule.
What came next
Osman Pasha fell back to Plevna. The Treaty of San Stefano ended the war in March 1878.
Did you know?
Nikopol fell before Osman Pasha, who came from Vidin, could reach it.
Timeline
- April 1877Russia declares war on the Ottoman Empire.
- 16 July 1877The Ottoman garrison of Nikopol surrenders to Russian forces.
- 10 December 1877Osman Pasha surrenders at Plevna.
- 3 March 1878The Treaty of San Stefano is signed.