Battle of Gorni Dubnik

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Date	24 October 1877
Location	near Pleven, Bulgaria
Result	Russian victory

Belligerents

Russian Empire

Ottoman Empire

Commanders

Joseph Gourko

Achmet Hefzi Pasha

Strength

8,000

3,750-4,000

Casualties and losses

3,300

1,500 killed & wounded
2,250 prisoners

Russo-Turkish War, 1877–1878

Kızıl-Tepe – Simnitza – Svistov – Nikopol – 1st Shipka Pass – 2nd Shipka Pass – Lovcha – 3rd Shipka Pass – Gorni-Dubnik – Kars – Pleven – Tashkessen – 4th Shipka Pass – Plovdiv

In an effort to reduce the fortress of Pleven quicker, Russian forces began targeting garrisons along the Turkish supply and communications route. A significant garrison had been reduced at the Battle of Lovcha in September. General Joseph Vladimirovich Gourko was called up from the Shipka Pass area to deal with more of the garrisons protecting Pleven.

On October 24 Gourko attacked the fortress of Gorni-Dubnik. The Russian attack met heavy resistance but two other Russian columns were able to easily push back the Turkish lines. The Finnish Guard sharpshooter battalion participated on the battle and stormed the fortress walls. Gourko continued the attacks and the garrison commander Achmet Hefzi Pasha surrendered. Within the month several more Turkish garrisons were to fall including Orchanie. By October 24 the Russian army had completely surrounded Pleven which capitulated December 10.

The battle is commemorated in the Finnish Guard Regiment March. October 24 is the honorary day of the descendant of the Finnish Guard sharpshooter battalion, the Finnish Guard Yeager Regiment.