Siege of Varna

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Siege of Varna (July — September 29, 1828) was a war episode during the Russo-Turkish War, 1828-1829.

Varna was held by the Ottoman army. The approach to Varna by Russian forces was first attempted on June 28, but the Russian avantgardes were met by significant Turkish forces, and the siege was postponed.

Russo–Turkish War, 1828–1829 Navarino – Varna – Kulevicha – Akhalzic

By the end of July the Black Sea Fleet under command of Aleksey Greig approached Varna and delivered the landing forces. In the mid-August the Guards Corps arrived to Varna, with Emperor Nicholas I. The siege was put under the command of Adjutant general Menshikov, with total forces of 23,000 personnel and 170 artillery pieces against the 20,000 garrison of Varna.

In an attempt to desiege Varna, Omer Vryonis Pasha brought a 20,000 army, but was successfully held off.

Eventually Varna was taken with 6,900 prisoners and 140 artillery pieces.

However the Russians suffered big losses during the summer-autumn campaign, and withdrew from Varna and Danube to resume the campaign in the following spring.

[edit] References

• Kersnovsky, Anton, History of the Russian Army, Belgrad3, 1933-1936, reprinted by Golos, 1992-1994 [1].