Siege of Ochakov (1789)

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The Second Siege of Ochakov (now in Ukraine) was one of the major events of Russo-Turkish War (1787–1792).

Russian forces led by Prince Grigori Potemkin and general Alexander Suvorov besieged the city, controlled by the Ottoman army under the command of Hassan pasha, in 1788. Despite Suvorov's urging to storm the city immediately, Potemkin kept the Russian forces encircling Ochakov, bombarding the city with cannons and cutting off the defenders' supply of food and ammunition. Having kept his soldiers out of direct battle, Potemkin was able to minimalize Russian casualties, though he was accused by his Generals of cowardice. The argument about storming continued in the Russian headquarters during the entirety of the siege.

The Turks made several attempts to break the siege. On July 27 about 5000 janissaries attacked positions of the Russian Cossak squad and forced it to retreat. Suvorov personally led reinforcements and chased janissaries to the Ochakov gates, but was injured.

Hassan-pasha expected reinforcements from the Turkish fleet, gathering in Limans, but after the attack of Admiral Senyavin's fleet, Turkish reinforcements were cut off.

The condition of both armies continued to decline, there was a threat of epidemic, and the weather was growing very cold. Potemkin ultimately gave in to Suvorov's arguments. On the night of December 6 the Russians struck and captured Hassan-pasha's palace, forcing its guards to surrender. About 4000 Turks were taken prisoners, including Hassan Pasha himself, but most of the city garrison was massacred in the street fight.

The Russian victory was glorified in a famous ode by Gavriil Derzhavin.

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