Wars during the reign of Catherine II. Foreign policy during the reign of Catherine II. Russian-Turkish wars of the late 18th century
2.3.1. Causes of the war. In the 80s Relations between Russia and Turkey have worsened
As a result of the actions of Russia, which in 1783 captured Crimea and signed Treaty of Georgievsk from Eastern Georgia about establishing their protectorate there and
Under the influence of the revanchist sentiments of the Turkish ruling circles, fueled by Western diplomacy.
2.3.2. Progress of the war. In 1787, a Turkish landing force tried to take Kinburn, but was destroyed by a garrison under the command of A.V. Suvorov. The situation for Russia became more complicated in 1788 due to the attack on it by Sweden and the need to fight a war on two fronts. However, in 1789 Russia achieved decisive victories - A.V. Suvorov defeated Turkish troops at Focsani and on R. Rymnik.
After the capture of the strategically important fortress of Izmail in 1790 and the successful actions of the Russian Black Sea fleet under the command of F.F. Ushakova, which defeated the Turkish fleet at the cape in 1791 Kaliakria, the outcome of the war became obvious. The signing of peace was also accelerated by Russia's successes in the war with Sweden. In addition, Türkiye could not count on serious support from European countries that were drawn into the fight against revolutionary France.
2.3.3. Results of the war. In 1791, the Treaty of Jassy was signed, which included the following provisions:
The lands between the Southern Bug and the Dniester passed to Russia.
Türkiye confirmed Russia's rights to Kyuchuk-Kainardzhiysky agreement, and also recognized the annexation of Crimea and the establishment of a protectorate over Eastern Georgia.
Russia has pledged to return Turkey Bessarabia, Wallachia and Moldavia, captured by Russian troops during the war.
Russia's successes in the war, its costs and losses significantly exceeded the final gains, which was caused by the opposition of Western countries that did not want its strengthening, as well as the tsarist government's fears of being isolated in conditions when European monarchs, under the influence of events in France, expected internal upheavals in their states and hurried to unite to fight the “revolutionary infection”.
2.6. Reasons for Russia's victories.
2.6.1 . The Russian army gained experience in military operations against well-armed European armies using modern combat tactics.
2.6.2. The Russian army had modern weapons, a powerful fleet, and its generals learned to identify and use the best fighting qualities of the Russian soldier: patriotism, courage, determination, endurance, i.e. mastered the “science of winning.”
2.6.3 . The Ottoman Empire lost its power, its economic and military resources turned out to be weaker than those of Russia.
2.6.4. The Russian government, led by Catherine II, was able to provide the material and political conditions for achieving victory.
Russian policy towards Poland
3.1. Plans of Catherine II. At the beginning of her reign, Catherine II opposed the division of Poland, which was experiencing a deep internal crisis, the projects of which were hatched by Prussia and Austria. She pursued a policy of preserving the integrity and sovereignty of the second Slavic state in Europe - the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth - and hoped to ensure there Russian influence due to the support on the throne of the protege of the St. Petersburg court - King S. Poniatowski.
At the same time, she believed that the strengthening of Poland did not meet the interests of Russia and therefore agreed to sign an agreement with Frederick II providing for the preservation of the Polish political system with its rights for every deputy Sejm impose a ban on any bill that ultimately led the country to anarchy.
3.2. The first partition of Poland. In 1768, the Polish Sejm, which experienced direct pressure from Russia, adopted a law that equalized the rights of the so-called Catholics. dissidents(people of other faiths - Orthodox and Protestants). Some of the deputies who disagreed with this decision, having gathered in the city of Bar, created the Bar Confederation and began military operations against the king and the Russian troops located on Polish territory, hoping for help from Turkey and Western countries.
In 1770, Austria and Prussia captured part of Poland. As a result, Russia, which was at that time at war with the Ottoman Empire, agreed to the division of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which was formalized in 1772. Under this division, it received Eastern Belarus, Austria - Galicia, and Prussia - Pomerania and part of Greater Poland.
3.3. Second partition of Poland. By the beginning of the 90s. under the influence of events in France and Poland's desire to strengthen its statehood (in 1791, the Sejm abolished the veto power of deputies), its relations with Russia deteriorated sharply. The “unauthorized” change in the constitution became the pretext for a new partition of Poland, closely linked with the preparation by European monarchies of intervention in France.
In 1793, as a result of the second partition of Poland, Right Bank Ukraine and the central part of Belarus with Minsk passed to Russia
3.4. Third section. In response to this, a powerful national liberation movement broke out in Poland under the leadership of T. Kosciuszko. However, it was soon suppressed by Russian troops under the command A.V. Suvorov, and in 1795 the third partition of Poland took place.
According to it, Western Belarus, Lithuania, Courland and part of Volyn were transferred to Russia. Austria and Prussia captured the Polish lands themselves, which led to the end of the existence of the Polish state.
In the second half of the 18th century. Russia solved several foreign policy problems:
1) the first direction is south. Russia fought for access to the shores of the Black and Azov Seas, development and settlement of the southern black soil steppes. This led to long wars with Turkey and the Crimean Khanate;
2) the second direction - the issue of liberation from foreign domination of the lands of Ukraine and Belarus captured by Poland took a significant place in Russia’s foreign policy;
3) third direction. It was predetermined by the Great War that began in 1789 French revolution. Russia waged an active struggle against revolutionary France. In the second half of the 18th century. The foreign policy of the Russian government in the southern direction significantly intensified. He was pushed to this by the interests of the country's security and the needs of the nobility, who sought to take possession of the rich southern lands. Industry and trade, which developed rapidly, also dictated the need for access to the Black Sea.
Russo-Turkish wars
In the southern direction, Russia has repeatedly entered into confrontation with Turkey.
1. During the Russian-Turkish War of 1768–1774. Russia managed to recapture Azov and Taganrog from Turkey. In the Battle of Chesma, the Russian fleet defeated the Turkish squadron.
During military operations, Russian troops captured Crimea and could move to Istanbul. At this time, Türkiye asked for peace. In this war, Russian commanders showed their talent: P.A. Rumyantsev, A.V. Suvorov, V.M. Dolgorukov; The actions of the fleet were led by: L.G. Orlov, G.A. Spiridonov and I.S. Greig.
2. In 1787–1791 Russia again entered the war with Turkey. In military operations, Türkiye demanded the return of Crimea from Russia. But the Russian army under the leadership of A.V. Suvorova defeated Turkish military units at Kinburn, Fokshani and on the Rymnik River. G.A. Potemkin occupied the Turkish fortress of Ochakov on the Dnieper estuary. Great importance There was also the capture of Izmail, a fortress that was the citadel of Turkish rule on the Danube. In this battle, the future famous commander M.I. distinguished himself. Kutuzov. Successful operations at sea were carried out by the Russian fleet, led by Admiral F.F. Ushakov.
As a result of this war:
– Crimea was annexed to Russian Empire;
- was liquidated Crimean Khanate, which was a constant source of aggression on the southern borders of Russia;
– Türkiye also recognized Russian patronage of Georgia.
At the end of the 1780s. Russia waged military operations against Sweden, which sought to regain lands lost in the Northern War.
Russia also participated in resolving the Polish issue. As a result of the partitions of Poland (1772–1795), the following were annexed to Russia: Belarus, Right Bank Ukraine, Lithuania, Courland, Volyn.
Russian-Turkish wars - a whole chapter in Russian history. In total, there are 12 military conflicts in the more than 400-year history of relations between our countries. Let's consider them.
The first Russian-Turkish wars
The first wars include military conflicts that occurred between countries before the onset of Catherine's golden age.
The first war broke out in 1568-1570. After the fall of the Astrakhan Khanate, Russia strengthened in the foothills of the Caucasus. This did not suit the Sublime Porte and in the summer of 1569, 15 thousand Janissaries, with the support of irregular units, headed to Astrakhan to restore the Khanate. However, the army of the Cherkasy headman M.A. Vishnevetsky defeated the Turkish forces.
In 1672-1681, a second war broke out, aimed at establishing control over Right Bank Ukraine.
This war became known thanks to the Chigirin campaigns, during which the Turks’ plans to seize Left Bank Ukraine, which was under Russian control, were thwarted.
In 1678, after a series of military failures, the Turks finally managed to capture Chigirin, they were defeated at Buzhin and retreated. The result was the Bakhchisaray Peace Treaty, which maintained the status quo.
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The next war was 1686-1700, during which Queen Sophia first tried to subjugate the Crimean Khanate, organizing campaigns in 1687 and 1689. Due to poor supplies they ended in failure. Her brother, Peter I, led two Azov campaigns in 1695 and 1696, the latter was successful. According to the Treaty of Constantinople, Azov remained with Russia.
An unfortunate event in the biography of Peter I was the Prut campaign of 1710-1713. After the defeat of the Swedes near Poltava, Charles XII hid in the Ottoman Empire, and the Turks declared war on Russia. During the campaign, Peter's army found itself surrounded by three times superior enemy forces. As a result, Peter had to admit his defeat and conclude first the Prut (1711) and then the Adrianople (1713) peace treaty, according to which Azov returned to the Ottoman Empire.
Rice. 1. Prut campaign of Peter.
The war of 1735-1739 took place in the alliance of Russia and Austria. Russian troops took Perekop, Bakhchisarai, Ochakov, and then Khotin and Yassy. According to the Belgrade Peace Treaty, Russia regained Azov.
Russian-Turkish wars under Catherine II
Let's light on this question, reducing general information to the table “Russian-Turkish wars under Catherine the Great”.
The era of the Russian-Turkish wars under Catherine the Great became a golden page in the biography of the great Russian commander A.V. Suvorov, who did not lose a single battle in his life. For the victory at Rymnik he was awarded the title of count, and by the end of his military career he received the rank of generalissimo.
Rice. 2. Portrait of A.V. Suvorov.
Russo-Turkish wars of the 19th century
The Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 also allowed for the independence of Serbia, Montenegro and Romania.
Rice. 3. Portrait of General Skobelev.
The conflict within the First World War and the overall outcome.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Russia, as a participant in the First World War, fought with the Turks on the Caucasian front. The Turkish troops were completely defeated and only the revolution of 1917 stopped the advance of Russian troops in Anatolia. According to the Treaty of Kars of 1921 between the RSFSR and Turkey, Kars, Ardahan and Mount Ararat were returned to the latter.
What have we learned?
Military conflicts between Russia and Turkey occurred 12 times in 350 years. 7 times the Russians celebrated victory and 5 times the Turkish troops had the upper hand.
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Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774
On June 28, 1762, Emperor Peter III was dethroned by the Guard because of his “pro-Prussian” policy, which caused deep discontent in the army, navy, noble nobility and even ordinary people. The Guard placed his wife, a German by nationality and who took the name of Catherine II, on the Russian throne. She was an intelligent woman who had studied Russian society well, folk customs and, of course, the Russian language.
On July 7, she issued a manifesto in which she accused Peter III of destroying everything that “Peter the Great established in Russia,” and promised to return the Fatherland to the path outlined by him.
First of all, by her decree she abolished all the “Holstein” orders introduced by Peter III. In particular, it affected the highest military authority - the military collegium, the chairman of which was appointed an associate of the hero of the “raid” on Berlin, Field Marshal Saltykov, the brave General Z.G. Chernyshev. He had to immediately after the Seven Years' War with participation famous commanders, such as A.M. Golitsyn, V.A. Suvorov (father of the famous commander), P.A. Rumyantsev, M.N. Volkonsky, A.B. Buturlin and others, to reorganize the Russian army.
8 1763 Russia was militarily divided into seven “divisions” (predecessors of districts) - Livland, Estland, Smolensk, Moscow, Sevsk and Ukrainian. In 1775, the Belarusian “division” was added to them, and the Kazan and Voronezh divisions were separated from the Moscow division.
Back in 1763, huntsman teams consisting of 1 officer and 65 rangers appeared in the infantry. This was a new word in the organization of troops. The purpose of the huntsman teams, the instructions said, was to be “skirmishers” and “make fire,” and to do this not in ranks or columns, but in loose formation. Was born this way new form the use of infantry in battle, which later became widespread.
A new type of cavalry appeared - carabinieri cavalry. As P.A. Rumyantsev planned, it was supposed to replace the cuirassier and dragoon, combining in battle the force of the cuirassier's blow with a heavy broadsword and a tall horse with firing from a carbine. In 1765, the so-called “Sloboda” Cossack troops, in which Cossacks served as conscripts, were abolished. And in 1770, the land militia became part of the Cossack troops.
The reform of the army, obviously, was supposed to serve to increase its combat readiness and combat capability, and higher mobility.
P.A. Rumyantsev did more than anyone else to reform the army. Peter III he was “excommunicated” from active work. Less than two years after the accession of Catherine II, he was called to work. Rumyantsev created instructions that, based on the combat experience and “military spirit” of the Russian people,” contained deeply progressive thoughts: highlighting the moral training of a warrior as the basis of his education, strict knowledge of regulations, active work of commanders with subordinates, mostly individual . He said, for example, that the company commander must personally get acquainted with each newly arrived recruit, “notice his inclinations and habits.” All of Rumyantsev’s original thoughts were set out in his “thoughts on the organization of a military unit” and “Instructions for a colonel’s infantry regiment,” which he collected in 1770 into the “Rite of Services,” which became the combat and drill regulations of the army.
The thoughts of the young A.V. echoed Rumyantsev’s thoughts.
Suvorov, which at that time found expression in the so-called “Suzdal institution”, created by him when he was the commander of the Suzdal regiment. It could easily be considered as an addition to the infantry regulations. Suvorov considered the main thing in education to be drill training, “the art of execution” of a soldier, “what he needs in order to defeat the enemy.” He was a supporter of the strictest discipline, but what he was “similar” to Rumyantsev was that it was based on moral feelings.
Such was the military fate of A.V. Suvorov that after a seven-year war he had to fight in Poland from 1768, pacifying the so-called Polish confederates. The conflict occurred due to the fact that Orthodox Christians living in Poland - Ukrainians, Belarusians - were discriminated against in their religious and civil rights Catholic Church and the gentry. The presence of Russian troops in Poland and the arrest of four noble leaders forced King Stanisław Poniatowski to sign a law on dissidents, adopted by the Sejm, easing their situation. But this caused an explosion of indignation that spread throughout noble Poland. A guerrilla war broke out, in which A.V. Suvorov, commanding units and units, with unsurpassed skill, defeated detachments of Polish confederates united in the Union (confederation) against the decisions of the Sejm and the king. Poland found itself on the brink of defeat. Although France had allied relations with Russia, however, it sent ammunition, equipment and instructor-commanders to the Polish Confederates to fight against Russian troops. But this was of little help to the Confederates. The conflict ended when the troops of Austria and Prussia intervened in the war, fearing the complete subjugation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth by Russia.
In September 1772, Austria, Prussia and Russia agreed to partition Poland. French help was of no use. According to the agreement, Russian troops, and with them Suvorov, entered Lithuania. And at the end of the year he received an appointment to the First Army under P.A. Rumyantsev.
At this time, the fire of the Russian-Turkish war was burning. It was lit back in January 1766 by the Crimean Khan at the instigation of the Sultan with the invasion of Turkish Crimean troops from Crimea to Ukraine, but met in sharp battles with the 1st Army of General P.A. Rumyantsev and was defeated. The general, anticipating the attacks of the Tatar and Turkish troops, strengthened the garrisons of Azov and Taganrog, and redeployed the main forces near Elizavetgrad in order to block the enemy’s movement into Ukraine. What were the strategic goals of the opponents?
When Turkey declared war on Russia in October 1768, it wanted to take away Taganrog and Azov from it and thus “close” Russia’s access to the Black Sea. That's what it was the real reason unleashing new war against Russia. The fact that France, supporting the Polish confederates, would like to weaken Russia also played a role. This pushed Turkey to war with its northern neighbor. The reason for the opening of hostilities was the attack of the Haidamaks on the border town of Balta. And although Russia caught and punished the culprits, the flames of war flared up. Strategic Goals Russia were vast.
The Military College chose a defensive form of strategy, trying to secure its western and southern borders, especially since outbreaks of hostilities arose both here and there. Thus, Russia sought to preserve previously conquered territories. But the option of broad offensive actions was not excluded, which ultimately prevailed.
The military board decided to field three armies against Turkey: the 1st under the command of Prince A.M. Golitsyn, numbering 80 thousand people, consisting of 30 infantry and 19 cavalry regiments with 136 guns with a formation place near Kyiv, had the task
protect Russia's western borders and divert enemy forces. The 2nd Army under the command of P.A. Rumyantsev, 40 thousand people, with 14 infantry and 16 cavalry regiments, 10 thousand Cossacks, with 50 guns, was concentrated at Bakhmut with the task of securing the southern borders of Russia. Finally, the 3rd Army under the command of General Olitz (15 thousand people, 11 infantry and 10 cavalry regiments with 30 field guns) gathered near the settlement of Brody in readiness to “join” the actions of the 1st and 2nd armies.
Sultan Mustafa of Turkey concentrated more than 100 thousand soldiers against Russia, thus not gaining superiority in the number of troops. Moreover, three-quarters of his army consisted of irregular units.
The fighting developed sluggishly, although the initiative belonged to the Russian troops. Golitsyn besieged Khotyn, diverting forces to himself and preventing the Turks from connecting with the Polish confederates. Even as the 1st Army approached, Moldova rebelled against the Turks. But instead of moving troops to Iasi, the army commander continued the siege of Khotin. The Turks took advantage of this and dealt with the uprising.
Until half of June 1769, the commander of the 1st Army, Golitsyn, stood on the Prut. The decisive moment in the struggle came when the Turkish army tried to cross the Dniester, but it failed to cross due to the decisive actions of the Russian troops, who threw the Turks into the river with artillery and rifle fire. No more than 5 thousand people remained from the Sultal's army of one hundred thousand. Golitsyn could freely go deeper into enemy territory, but limited himself to occupying Khotyn without a fight, and then retreating beyond the Dniester. Apparently, he considered his task completed.
Catherine II, closely following the progress of military operations, was dissatisfied with Golitsyn’s passivity. She removed him from command of the army. P.A. Rumyantsev was appointed in his place.
Things got better.
As soon as Rumyantsev arrived in the army at the end of October 1769, he changed its deployment, placing it between Zbruch and Bug. From here he could immediately begin military operations, and at the same time, in the event of a Turkish offensive, protect the western borders of Russia, or even launch an offensive himself. By order of the commander, a corps of 17 thousand cavalry under the command of General Shtofeln advanced beyond the Dniester to Moldova. The general acted energetically, and with battles by November he liberated Moldavia to Galati and captured most of Wallachia. At the beginning of January 1770, the Turks tried to attack Shtofeln’s corps, but were repulsed.
The vanguard was advanced beyond the Dniester into Moldova - the Moldavian corps of 17 thousand cavalry under the command of General Shtofeln, who was entrusted with the administration of Moldova.
Rumyantsev, having thoroughly studied the enemy and his methods of action, made organizational changes in the army. The regiments were united into brigades, and artillery companies were distributed among divisions.
The plan for the 1770 campaign was drawn up by Rumyantsev, and, having received the approval of the Military Collegium and Catherine II, acquired the force of an order. The peculiarity of the plan is its focus on the destruction of enemy manpower. “No one takes a city without first dealing with the forces defending it,” Rumyantsev believed. The 1st Army had to take active offensive actions to prevent the Turks from crossing the Danube, and under favorable conditions, go on the offensive itself. The 2nd Army, the command of which the Empress appointed General P.I. Panin, was entrusted with the capture of Bendery and the protection of Little Russia from enemy penetration. The 3rd Army was abolished and entered the 1st Army as a separate division. The task was set for the Black Sea Fleet under the leadership of Orlov. He should have been out Mediterranean Sea threaten Constantinople and impede the actions of the Turkish fleet.
On May 12, 1770, Rumyantsev’s troops concentrated at Khotin. Rumyantsev had 32 thousand people under arms. At this time, a plague epidemic was raging in Moldova. A significant part of the corps located here and the commander himself, General Shtofeln, died from the plague. The new corps commander, Prince Repnin, led the remaining troops to positions near the Prut. They had to show extraordinary resilience, repelling the attacks of the Tatar horde of Kaplan-Girey.
Rumyantsev brought the main forces only on June 16 and, immediately forming them into battle formation (while providing for a deep detour of the enemy), attacked the Turks at the Ryabaya Mogila and threw them east to Bessarabia. Attacked by the main forces of the Russians on the flank, pinned down from the front and outflanked from the rear, the enemy fled. The cavalry pursued the fleeing Turks for more than 20 kilometers. A natural obstacle - the Larga River - made the pursuit difficult. The Turkish commander decided to wait for the arrival of the main forces, the vizier Moldavanchi and the cavalry of Abaza Pasha.
Rumyantsev decided not to wait for the approach of the Turkish main forces and to attack and defeat the Turks in parts. July 7th,
at dawn, having made a roundabout maneuver at night, he suddenly attacked the Turks on Larga and put them to flight. What brought him victory? This is most likely the advantage of Russian troops in combat training and discipline over Turkish units, which were usually lost in a surprise attack combined with a cavalry attack on the flank. At Larga, the Russians lost 90 people, the Turks - up to 1000. Meanwhile, the vizier Moldavanchi crossed the Danube with an army of 150 thousand of 50 thousand Janissaries and 100 thousand Tatar cavalry. Knowing about Rumyantsev's limited forces, the vizier was convinced that he would crush the Russians with a 6-fold advantage in manpower. Moreover, he knew that Abaz Pashi was hurrying to him.
This time Rumyantsev did not wait for the main enemy forces to approach. What did the disposition of troops look like near the river? Cahul, where the battle was to take place. The Turks camped near the village of Grecheni near. Cahula. The Tatar cavalry stood 20 versts from the main forces of the Turks. Rumyantsev built an army in five divisional squares, that is, he created a deep battle formation. He placed the cavalry between them. The heavy cavalry of 3,500 sabers under the command of Saltykov and Dolgorukov, together with the Melissino artillery brigade, remained in the army reserve. Such a deep battle formation of the army units ensured the success of the offensive, since it implied a build-up of forces during the offensive. Early in the morning of July 21, Rumyantsev attacked the Turks with three divisional squares and overthrew their crowds. Saving the situation, 10 thousand Janissaries rushed into a counterattack, but Rumyantsev personally rushed into battle and, by his example, inspired the soldiers who put the Turks to flight. The vizier fled, leaving the camp and 200 cannons. The Turks lost up to 20 thousand killed and 2 thousand captured. Pursuing the Turks, Bour's vanguard overtook them at the crossing of the Danube at Kartala and captured the remaining artillery in the amount of 130 guns.
Almost at the same time, on Kagul, the Russian fleet destroyed the Turkish fleet at Chesma. The Russian squadron under the command of General A.G. Orlov was almost half the number of ships, but won the battle thanks to the heroism and courage of the sailors and the naval skill of Admiral Spiridov, the actual organizer of the battle. By his order, the vanguard of the Russian squadron entered Chesme Bay on the night of June 26 and, having anchored, opened fire with incendiary shells. By morning, the Turkish squadron was completely defeated. 15 battleships, 6 frigates and over 40 small ships were destroyed, while the Russian fleet had no losses in ships. As a result, Turkey lost its fleet and was forced to abandon offensive operations in the Archipelago and concentrate efforts on the defense of the Dardanelles Strait and coastal fortresses. What is the Battle of Chesma on June 27, 1770. The Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774.
To keep the military initiative in his hands, Rumyantsev sends several detachments to capture Turkish fortresses. He managed to take Ishmael, Kelia and Ackerman. In early November, Brailov fell.
Panin's 2nd Army took Bendery by storm after a two-month siege. Russian losses amounted to 2,500 killed and wounded. The Turks lost up to 5 thousand people killed and wounded and 11 thousand prisoners. 348 guns were taken from the fortress. Leaving a garrison in Bendery, Panin and his troops retreated to the Poltava region.
In the campaign of 1771, the main task fell to the 2nd Army, the command of which was taken over from Panin by Prince Dolgorukov - the capture of Crimea. The campaign of the 2nd Army was a complete success. Crimea was conquered without much difficulty. On the Danube, Rumyantsev’s actions were defensive in nature.
P.A. Rumyantsev, a brilliant commander, one of the reformers of the Russian army, was a demanding, extremely brave, and very fair person. There are many examples to prove this. Here's one of them. After its occupation in February 1771, a garrison of 700 soldiers led by Major Hansel and 40 cannons were left in the Jurge fortress. At the end of May, the fortress was attacked by 14 thousand Turks. The first onslaught was repulsed by the Russians. However, seeing the overwhelming superiority of the Turks, Major Hansel, at the suggestion of the Turks, entered into negotiations and surrendered the fortress on the condition that the garrison retreated from the fortress with weapons. However, his direct superior, General Repnin, who ordered the garrison to hold out until his approach, considered Hansel’s actions to be cowardice and put all the officers on trial, which sentenced them to death. Catherine II replaced execution with lifelong hard labor. Rumyantsev considered this sentence too harsh, because the terms of surrender were quite favorable, and insisted on changing it. Hard labor was replaced by the dismissal of officers from service.
After the brilliant search of General O.I. Weisman from the lower Danube to Dobruzhe, when he captured the Turkish fortresses: Tulcha, Isakchey, Babadag, and General Miloradovich - the fortresses of Girsovo and Machin, the Turks expressed their readiness to begin negotiations.
The whole of 1772 passed in fruitless peace negotiations mediated by Austria.
In 1773, Rumyantsev's army was increased to 50 thousand. Catherine demanded decisive action. Rumyantsev believed that his forces were not enough to completely defeat the enemy and limited himself to demonstrating active actions by organizing a raid by Weisman’s group on Karasu and two searches for Suvorov on Turtukai.
Suvorov had already gained the reputation of a brilliant military leader, who with small forces defeated large detachments of Polish Confederates. Having defeated Bim Pasha's thousand-strong detachment that crossed the Danube near the village of Oltenitsa, Suvorov himself crossed the river near the Turtukai fortress, having 700 infantry and cavalry men with two guns.
Dividing his detachment into three parts and lining them up in small columns, he different sides attacked a Turkish fortified camp with a 4,000-strong garrison. Taken by surprise, the Turks fled in panic, leaving the winners with 16 large cannons and 6 banners and only losing over 1,500 people killed. The winners' losses amounted to 88 dead and wounded. The detachment took with them an enemy flotilla of 80 river vessels and boats to the left bank.
When the Russians captured Turtukai, Suvorov sent a laconic report on a piece of paper to the corps commander, Lieutenant General Saltykov: “Your Grace! We won. Glory to God, glory to you.”
The successful actions of A.V. Suvorov and O.I. Weisman and the defeat of the Turks pushed Rumyantsev with an army of 20 thousand to cross the Danube and besiege Silistria on June 18, 1773. Without completing the siege of Silistria due to the approach of greatly superior Turkish forces, Rumyantsev retreated beyond the Danube. But his vanguard, under the leadership of Weisman, defeated the army of Numan Pasha at Kaynarji. However, the brave Weisman was killed in this battle. He was a commander of rare talent. An idol of soldiers, he enjoyed great fame thanks to his nobility, concern for his subordinates, and courage in battle. The death of General Weisman was experienced by the entire army. Suvorov, who knew him closely, said: “Weisman is gone, I was left alone.” The Turks, encouraged by Rumyantsev's retreat, attacked Girsovo.
Girsovo was the last one left locality on the right side of the Danube. Rumyantsev instructed Suvorov to protect him, and he built the defense in such a way that, having only about three thousand people under his command, he completely defeated the Turks. They lost more than a thousand people during the siege and persecution. The victory at Girsov turned out to be the last major success of Russian weapons in 1773. The troops were tired and fought sluggishly towards Silistria, Rushchuk and Varna. But they did not achieve victories. By the end of the year, Rumyantsev withdrew the army to winter quarters in Wallachia, Moldavia and Bessarabia.
At the beginning of 1774, Sultan Mustafa, an enemy of Russia, died. His heir, brother Abdul-Hamid, handed over control of the country to the Supreme Vizier Musun-Zade, who began correspondence with Rumyantsev. It was clear: Turkey needed peace. But Russia also needed peace, exhausted by a long war, military operations in Poland, a terrible plague that devastated Moscow, and finally, to the ever-flaming peasant uprisings in the east, Catherine granted Rumyantsev broad powers - complete freedom of offensive operations, the right to negotiate and conclude peace.
With the campaign of 1774, Rumyantsev decided to end the war.
According to Rumyantsev's strategic plan that year, it was envisaged that military operations would be transferred beyond the Danube and an offensive to the Balkans in order to break the resistance of the Porte. To do this, Saltykov’s corps had to besiege the Rushchuk fortress, Rumyantsev himself with a detachment of twelve thousand had to besiege Silistria, and Repin had to ensure their actions, remaining on the left bank of the Danube. The army commander ordered M.F. Kamensky and A.V. Suvorov to attack Dobrudzha, Kozludzha and Shumla, diverting the troops of the Supreme Vizier until Rushchuk and Silistria fell.
At the end of April, Suvorov and Kamensky crossed the Danube and cleared Dobruja. Then they moved to Kozludzha, where the 40,000-strong Turkish corps, expelled by the Grand Vizier from Shumla, was camped.
The enemy position near Kozludzha was covered by the dense Deliorman forest, passable only along narrow roads. Only this forest separated the Russians and the Turks. Suvorov's vanguard, consisting of Cossacks, became involved in a forest fashion show. They were followed by regular cavalry, and then Suvorov himself with infantry units.
When the Cossack cavalry emerged from the forest, it was unexpectedly attacked by large forces of Turkish cavalry. The Cossacks had to retreat back into the forest, where they detained the enemy in sharp battles.
However, following the enemy cavalry, significant forces of infantry entered the forest, attacked the Russian troops drawn into the defile and drove them out of the forest. Suvorov almost died during this attack. The Suzdal and Sevsky regiments, which were in reserve, corrected the situation by moving to positions in front of the edge.
A fierce battle took place, lasting from 12 noon to 8 pm. Both sides fought with extraordinary tenacity. The Russians retreated into the forest and, after many short battles, knocked the Turks out of it. They retreated to their main positions - a fortified camp.
When Russian troops left the forest, they were met by strong fire from Turkish batteries from this camp. Suvorov stopped the regiments and, waiting for his artillery, lined up the infantry in two lines with battalion squares, placing cavalry on the flanks. In this order, the Suvorovites went forward - bayonets at the ready! - repelling the enemy’s fierce counterattacks.
Approaching the ravine that separated the Russian troops from the enemy fortified camp, Suvorov deployed batteries that had approached from the forest and opened cannon fire, preparing the attack. Then he moved the infantry squares forward, sending the cavalry forward.
Under Kozludzha, Suvorov had 8 thousand people, the Turks - 40 thousand. Suvorov boldly attacked the enemy’s vanguard, taking into account that heavy rain had soaked the Turks’ cartridges, which they carried without leather pouches in their pockets. Having thrown the Turks back into the camp, Suvorov prepared an attack with intense artillery fire and quickly attacked. This operation near Kozludzha and the actions of Rumyantsev at Silistria, and Saltykov at Rushchuk, decided the outcome of the war. The vizier requested a truce. Rumyantsev did not agree with the truce, telling the vizier that the conversation could only be about peace.
On July 10, 1774, peace was signed in the village of Kuchuk-Kainardzhi. The port ceded to Russia part of the coast with the fortresses of Kerch, Yenikal and Kinburn, as well as Kabarda and the lower interfluve of the Dnieper and Bug. The Crimean Khanate was declared independent. The Danube principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia received autonomy and came under the protection of Russia, Western Georgia was freed from tribute.
This was the largest and longest war waged by Russia during the reign of Catherine II. In this war, Russian military art was enriched by the experience of strategic interaction between the army and navy, as well as the practical experience of crossing large water obstacles (Bug, Dniester, Danube).
In 1774, at the end of the Turkish War, G.A. Potemkin was appointed vice-president of the military college. He was a gifted person, but unbalanced; he had a penetrating mind, but had an uneven character. Compiled by Potemkin in 1777-1778. The Greek project provided for the liberation of the Orthodox peoples of Europe from Turkish oppression, especially since Rumyantsev failed to reach the Balkans.
In 1784 Potemkin was appointed president of the military college. Many measures in the troops under the leadership of Potemkin were aimed at facilitating the soldier’s service conditions. Instead of serving “as long as strength and health allow,” a 25-year-old was introduced
the term for infantry and for cavalry is 15 years. The combat service was simplified. They tried to teach the soldiers only what they needed to know and be able to do on the campaign trail and in battle. The execution of movements should be natural and free - “without ossification, as was previously the custom.” Corporal punishment was eliminated from practice. In 1786, a new uniform was introduced, a camisole made of green cloth and loose red trousers. Wigs were abolished, soldiers began to have their hair cut, which gave them a neat look. The army again experienced organizational changes. The Jaeger battalions were consolidated into 4-battalion corps. By the end of the reign of Catherine II, the number of chasseur corps was increased to 10. Light horse regiments were created in the amount of 4. Heavy cavalry remained almost unchanged, out of 19 carabineer regiments, 16 remained. All artillery from 5 regiments was reorganized into 13 battalions and 5 horse artillery mouth. Potemkin did a lot in organizing the Cossack troops. After the peasant uprising under the leadership of the Don Cossack E. Pugachev, in which the Yaik (Ural) Cossacks took an active part, Catherine began to be suspicious of the Cossacks. So, in 1776 it was decided to liquidate the Zaporozhye Sich, which was restored only at the request of Potemkin in 1787 under the name of the Black Sea Army, and subsequently it was merged with the Kuban Army. The total number of active troops was 287 thousand people. The garrison troops consisted of 107 battalions, the Cossack troops could field up to 50 regiments.
In 1769, immediately after the outbreak of the Turkish War, the Order of St. St. George the Victorious, which was awarded for military distinctions. The order had four degrees of distinction. Cavaliers of the first degree during the reign of Catherine were: Rumyantsev - for Larga, Orlov - for Chesma, Panin - for Bendery, Dolgoruky - for Crimea, Potemkin - for Ochakov, Suvorov - for Rymnik, Repnin - for Machin.
Turkish War 1787-1791
Incited by England and Prussia, hostile to Russia, the Sultan of the Ottoman Porte in the summer of 1787 demanded that Russia return Crimea to Turkish rule and generally annul the Kuchuk-Kainardzhi Peace. The Turkish government was made clear that the lands of the Northern Black Sea region returned to Russia and, in particular, Crimea are an integral part of its territory. Proof of this is the fact that on December 28, 1783, Turkey signed a solemn act according to which, confirming the Kyuchsuk-Kainardzhi Peace of 1774, it recognized the Kuban and Taman Peninsula as being under the jurisdiction of the Russian Empress and renounced all claims to the Crimea. Even earlier, on April 8, 1783, Catherine II issued a manifesto in which she declared herself free from previously accepted obligations on the independence of Crimea in view of the restless actions of the Tatars, who more than once brought Russia to the danger of war with the Porte, and proclaimed the annexation of Crimea, Taman and the Kuban region to the empire . On the same April 8, she signed a rescript on measures to fence off new areas and “repel force with force” in the event of Turkish hostility. At the beginning of January 1787, the empress, who, by the way, renamed Crimea to Taurida, which she considered undoubtedly belonged to Russia, moved with a large retinue to this fertile region. A stop was made in Kyiv, which lasted about three months. With the onset of warm weather spring days Catherine II on the Desna galley went down the Dnieper to Kremenchug, and then arrived in Kherson. From here she headed through Perekop to Crimea. Having become acquainted with Taurida, the queen returned to the capital. On the way back she visited Poltava and Moscow.
After Catherine II's trip to Crimea, relations between Russia and Turkey deteriorated sharply. The Russian government was not interested in bringing matters to war. It took the initiative to convene a conference for a peaceful settlement of relations between the two states. However, the Turkish representatives took an irreconcilable position there, continuing to put forward the same conditions that were completely unacceptable to the other side. In essence, this meant a radical revision of the Kuchuk-Karnayji Treaty, which Russia, of course, could not agree to.
On August 13, 1787, Turkey declared a state of war with Russia, gathering large forces (over 100 thousand people) in the Ochakov-Kinburn area. By this time, to counter the Turks, the Military College had established two armies. The Ukrainian Army came under the command of P.A. Rumyantsev with a secondary task: to monitor the security of the border with Poland. The command of the Yekaterinoslav army was taken over by G.A. Potemkin, who was supposed to solve the main tasks of the campaign: capture Ochakov, cross the Dniester, clear the entire area up to the Prut and reach the Danube. He moved A.V. Suvorov’s detachment to his left flank for a “vigil for Kinburn and Kherson.” In this second war with the Porte, Catherine managed to gain an ally - Austria, so that Turkish troops came under attack from different sides. The strategic plan of G.A. Potemkin was to unite with the Austrian troops (18 thousand) at the Danube and, pressing the Turkish troops against it, inflict defeat on them. The war began with the actions of Turkish troops at sea on September 1, at 9 o’clock in the morning at the Bienki tract, 12 versts from Kinburn up the shore of the estuary, 5 Turkish ships appeared. The enemy attempted to land troops, but failed. Suvorov prudently sent troops there under the command of Major General I.G. Rek. They thwarted the enemy command's intentions with fire. Having suffered damage, the enemy was forced to retreat. But these actions of his were of a distracting nature. The enemy decided to land his main forces on the cape of the Kinburn Spit in order to strike the fortress from there.
And indeed, a large number of Turkish soldiers were soon discovered concentrated there. Their number continuously increased. The enemy began to gradually advance towards the fortress.
After a large enemy army approached Kinburn to a distance of one mile, it was decided to repel him. Under the command of Suvorov were the Oryol and Kozlovsky infantry regiments, four companies of the Shlisselburg and light battalion of the Murom infantry regiments, a light horse brigade consisting of the Pavlograd and Mariupol regiments, the Don Cossack regiments of Colonel V.P. Orlov, Lieutenant Colonel I.I. Isaev and Prime Major Z E. Sychova. They numbered 4,405 people.
The battle began at 15:00. The first line troops under the command of Major General I.G. Rek, emerging from the fortress, quickly attacked the enemy. The infantry offensive was supported by reserve squadrons and Cossack regiments. The Turks, relying on lodgements, offered stubborn resistance.
A brutal hand-to-hand fight ensued. Suvorov fought in the battle formation of the Shlisselburg regiment.
The sun was already low on the horizon when Suvorov resumed his offensive again. The light battalion of the Mariupol regiment under Captain Stepan Kalantayev, two companies of the Shlisselburg regiment and a company of the Oryol regiment moved forward “with excellent courage.” Their attack was supported by a light pontoon brigade and Don Cossack regiments. The enemy could not withstand the onslaught of fresh Russian forces and began to retreat. Suvorov's soldiers knocked him out of all 15 lodgements. There were about 200 meters left to the cape. Driven into the very corner of the spit, the enemy stubbornly defended itself. The enemy ships fired intensively at the flank of the advancing square of Russian troops. But Suvorov’s warriors rushed forward uncontrollably, continuing to push back the Turks. The guns of Corporal Shlisselburg Regiment Mikhail Borisov fired successfully. The light horse troops, commanded by Captain D.V. Shukhanov, proved themselves to be excellent. Shortly before the end of the battle, Suvorov was wounded. An enemy bullet hit him in the left hand and went right through.
Around midnight, the battle ended with the complete defeat of the Turkish landing. Its remains were thrown into the sea behind the overpass. There, enemy soldiers stood up to their necks in water all night. At dawn, the Turkish command began to transport them to ships. “They rushed so hard at the boats,” wrote Suvorov, “that many of them drowned...”
In the battle of Kinburn, 5 thousand “selected naval soldiers” acted on the enemy’s side. These were almost all of his landing troops. Most of them died. Only about 500 Turks managed to escape.
Military operations in 1788 were conducted sluggishly. Potemkin only approached Ochakov in July and besieged him. For five months, Potemkin’s 80,000-strong army stood at Ochakov, which was defended by only 15,000 Turks. Ochakov was surrounded by troops on land and by a flotilla of galleys on the sea. During this time, the Turks made only one sortie, which was repulsed by Suvorov. The cold weather has arrived, the situation of the troops
worsened. The officers and soldiers themselves asked for the assault. Finally, the assault took place and on December 6, 1788, Ochakov was taken. The battle was fierce, most of the garrison was killed. 4,500 people were captured, and the winners received 180 banners and 310 guns. Our troops lost 2789 people.
During the campaign of 1788, the Ukrainian army of P.A. Rumyantsev also operated successfully. She captured the Khotyn fortress and liberated a significant territory of Moldova between the Dniester and Prut from the enemy. But, of course, the greatest strategic success was the capture of Ochakov. Türkiye lost the only major stronghold remaining in its hands in the Northern Black Sea region. The Yekaterinoslav army could now be turned towards the Balkans.
After the capture of Ochakov, Potemkin withdrew the army to winter quarters.
During the campaign of 1789, Rumyantsev was ordered to reach the Lower Danube with an army of 35 thousand, where the main forces of the Turkish army were located. Potemkin with 80 thousand troops was to capture Bendery. Thus, His Serene Highness Prince Potemkin took most of the Russian army to solve the relatively easy task of capturing one fortress.
At the end of the spring of 1789, the Turks moved to Moldova in three detachments - Kara-Megmeti with 10 thousand Janissaries, Yakuba Agha with 20 thousand and Ibrahim Pasha with 10 thousand. Rumyantsev advanced the division of Lieutenant General V.H. Derfelden against the Turks . On April 7, Derfelden defeated Karamegmet's army at Birlad. On April 16, he defeated Yakubu Agha at Maximen. Chasing the retreating Turks on their heels, he reached Galati, found Ibrahim there and defeated him.
These brilliant victories were the last that the troops of the elderly Field Marshal Rumyantsev won. It's time for him to retire.
P.A. Rumyantsev, of course, remained in history as an outstanding commander who enriched the art of war with new, hitherto unprecedented methods of armed struggle. As a rule, he accurately assessed the operational-tactical situation and knew how to find vulnerable spots in the enemy’s battle formations; a brave, decisive military leader, used irresistible blows, forming troops in columns, but did not refuse squares. Just as Suvorov believed, the bullet is stupid, the bayonet is great. He highly valued artillery and no less - cavalry, almost always left reserves for the development of battle, and built a deep battle formation (at least 3 ranks).
Potemkin, not wanting to share with anyone the laurels of victorious battles in which he was confident, united both armies into one Southern one under his command. But he arrived there only in June. The troops moved to Bendery only in July.
The commander of the Turkish troops, Osman Pasha, seeing that the Southern Army was inactive and Potemkin was not there, decided to defeat Russia's ally - the Austrians, and then the Russians. But I miscalculated.
The Prince of Coburg, the commander of the Austrian corps, turned for help to Suvorov, who at that time, appointed by Potemkin to command a division of 7,000 bayonets, concentrated his units in Byrlad. The Prince of Coburg and Suvorov coordinated their actions and immediately made a connection. And on July 21, early in the morning, having united troops and forestalling Osman Pasha, they themselves went on the offensive against Focsani, which was 12 miles away. It was in the spirit of Suvorov. No wonder they called him “General “Forward!”
The troops approached dense bushes that stretched for 3 miles. One part followed the road through the bush, others went around it on both sides. When the bushes were left behind, a wide field opened up before the allies. Ahead lay Focsani, where Osman Pasha took up defense. The cavalry stood on the right flank, the infantry on the left in earthen fortifications.
It was 10 o'clock in the morning and Suvorov sent forward the light cavalry, which entered into a firefight with the enemy cavalry parties advanced towards it. When 2 versts remained to Focshan, heavy cannon fire was opened from the Turkish fortifications. Despite this, under the roar of their artillery, the infantry “quickly walked” towards the enemy. The artillery, moving behind them, from a distance of one mile from the Turks, “hit their points hard and forced them into deep silence almost everywhere.” Suvorov threw the cavalry forward. She knocked down the enemy horse crowds on the move. The right wing of the battle formation of Osman Pasha's troops was overturned. After this, Lieutenant General W.H. Derfelden with the 2nd and 3rd Grenadier and both Jaeger battalions, supported by Austrian infantry, began an attack on the left wing. Approaching the trenches, the Russian battalions fired volleys and then struck with bayonets. The enemy fled, leaving Focsani.
The battle at Focsani lasted 9 hours. It began at 4 o'clock and ended at 13 o'clock with the complete victory of the allied forces.
In August, Potemkin besieged Bendery. He concentrated almost all Russian forces near Bendery, leaving only one division in Moldova, the command of which he entrusted to Suvorov.
The Turkish vizier Yusuf again decided to defeat the Austrians and Russians one by one, and then help the besieged Bendery. And again the Turkish command miscalculated.
Suvorov, having guessed Yusuf's plan, made a quick march to join the Austrians who were still standing at Focsani. In two and a half days, along a very wet road, through mud and in the rain, Suvorov's division covered 85 miles and on September 10th united here with the Austrians. There was a battle ahead at the Rymnik River.
The Allied forces amounted to 25 thousand with 73 guns. Turkish forces - 100 thousand with 85 guns. It was necessary to decide: to attack or defend?
At the meeting, the Prince of Coburg pointed out to Suvorov the overwhelming superiority of the Turks and spoke in favor of abandoning the battle. Suvorov replied that in this case he would attack the Turks alone. The Prince of Coburg had no choice but to agree to collaboration. Suvorov immediately went on reconnaissance. A vast field opened before him, lying between the Rymnaya and Rymnik rivers. Turkish troops were located in four separate camps: the closest was located just beyond Rymna near the village of TyrgoKukuli; the second - near the Kryngu-Mailor forest; the third - near the village of Martinesti on the Rymnica River; the fourth is on the other bank of Rymnik near the village of Odoya. Communication with him was ensured through a bridge built near the village of Martinesti. The length of the field from east to west did not exceed 12 miles.
The area was an elevated plateau. Its central part was the Kryngu-Mailor forest area. It was there that the main enemy position was located. It was bordered on the flanks by deep ravines, the bottom of which had viscous soil. The right flank was still covered by thorny bushes, and the left by fortifications near the village of Bokza. A retranchement was erected in front of the front. But the fact that the group of Turkish troops was dispersed over a significant area in four camps created favorable conditions for its defeat in parts. Suvorov decided to take advantage of this.
Based on the results of the reconnaissance, he decided to perform. Suvorov's sudden attack took the Turks by surprise.
The allies formed their battle formation at an angle, with the top in the direction of the enemy. The right side of the corner consisted of Russian regimental squares, the left - battalion squares of Austrians. During the offensive, a gap of about 2 versts formed between the left and right sides, occupied by the Austrian detachment of General Andrei Karachay.
The battle began early in the morning of September 11. With a swift attack through the ravine, the Russian right-flank square captured the advanced Turkish camp of Tirgu-Kukul. Even before the ravine, the first line hesitated and stopped under artillery fire. Suvorov rushed towards her. His appearance in the line gave the attack speed. The Turks retreated beyond the Targu-Kukului forest.
The Prince of Coburg moved forward his corps a little later and, repelling the attacks of the Turkish cavalry, quite quickly brought it to another Turkish camp in front of the Kryngu-Meilor forest, connecting with Suvorov at a right angle. The vizier considered this convenient for breaking the connection between the Russians and Austrians. He threw 20 thousand cavalry from the village of Bokzy into the junction of their adjacent flanks. The detachment of A. Karachay’s hussars covering the center, that is, this very junction, rushed to attack seven times and each time he had to retreat. And then another blow from the Turks shook the battalion squares of the Prince of Coburg. Suvorov reinforced the ally with two battalions. The battle was approaching its climax. By noon, attacks by Russian and Austrian battalions forced the Turks to retreat to the Kryng-Meilor forest, that is, to their main position.
At one o'clock in the afternoon the troops moved forward again: the Russians to the Turkish left flank, the Austrians to the center and right flank. The Grand Vizier threw out 40 thousand cavalry, which managed to encircle the left wing of the Austrians. Coburg sent adjutant after adjutant to Suvorov, asking for help. And she came. The Russian commander, having captured Bogza, reorganized his battle formations on a full march and began to move closer to the Austrian corps until the Russians formed one line with him. Suvorov reported in a report about the decisive moment of the Rymnik battle: “I ordered an attack. This vast, terrible line, constantly throwing deadly peruns from its wings from the kareis, approached their points up to 400 fathoms, and quickly launched an attack. It is impossible to sufficiently describe this pleasant sight, how our cavalry jumped over their low retrenchment...”
The cavalry galloped into the dumbfounded Turks. And although they, having come to their senses, rushed with scimitars and daggers at the cavalrymen with fury of despair, this did not save the situation. Russian infantry approached and struck with bayonets.
By four in the afternoon, victory over the Turkish army of one hundred thousand was won. When Suvorov and Karachay rounded the Kryngu-Meilorsky forest on the right, and Coburg on the left, a valley opened up to them seven miles to the Rymnik River. It presented the spectacle of a general flight of the surviving Turkish troops. Even the cannons that opened fire on the crowds of fleeing people on the orders of the Grand Vizier did not stop the lava flow of those retreating to the Martinesti area. Here r. Rymnik was covered with earthen trenches, but no one thought of taking a defensive position in them.
The Turks lost 10 thousand killed and wounded. The winners took 80 guns and the entire Turkish convoy as trophies. Allied losses amounted to only 650 people.
Suvorov's services were highly appreciated. The Austrian Emperor granted him the title of Count of the Holy Roman Empire. He was elevated to the dignity of count by Catherine II with the addition of Rymniksky. It spilled on Suvorov diamond rain: diamond insignia of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, a sword sprinkled with diamonds, a diamond epaulette, a precious ring. But what pleased the commander most of all was that he was awarded the Order of St. George, 1st degree.
Suvorov's actions are amazing. While two huge armies - Potemkin and the Austrian Laudon - were drawn into the struggle to solve secondary problems, a 25,000-strong detachment inflicted a decisive defeat on the main forces of Turkey. The Rymnikov battle is perhaps the pinnacle of Suvorov’s military art with its credo: speed, eye, pressure.
It had “ample consequences.” Russian troops cleared the entire space up to the Danube from the enemy and occupied Kishinev, Kaushany, Palanca, and Ankerman. On September 14, they captured Adzhibey Castle, on the site of which Odessa arose. True, Bendery, which did not surrender to Potemkin, still withstood the siege. But this city also fell on November 3. The weakening of the Turkish troops and the “horror of Rymnik” made it possible for Loudon to expel the Turks from Bannato and capture Belgrade at the end of September.
Suvorov returned to Byrlad. Here he was “bored” for almost a year.
Despite the defeats suffered by Turkey in the campaign of 1789, provoked by Prussia, with which the Porte entered into an alliance, and England, Sultan Selim III decided to continue the war with Russia until victory.
By the beginning of the 1790 campaign, the military-political situation continued to be difficult. Russia again had to fight two wars simultaneously: against Turkey and Sweden. The Swedish ruling elite, taking advantage of the fact that the main forces of Russia were involved in the war with Turkey, launched military actions against it in July 1789. She would like to return the lands conquered by Peter I, crossing out the eternal peace with Russia established by the Nishtat Treaty. But this was an illusory desire. Military actions did not bring her success. On August 3, peace was concluded with Sweden. On the border with “restless” Poland we had to keep two corps. Two divisions with a total strength of 25 thousand people remained on the Turkish front. But Catherine II was more concerned about Prussia. On January 19, 1790, she concluded an alliance treaty with Turkey, by which she pledged to provide the Sultan’s government with all possible support in the war against Russia. Frederick II deployed large forces in the Baltic states and Silesia and ordered the recruitment of new recruits into the army. “All our efforts,” Catherine II wrote to Potemkin, “used to calm the Berlin court, remain fruitless... It is difficult to hope to keep this court both from harmful intentions directed against us and from attacking our ally.”
And indeed, Prussia began to put strong pressure on Austria, an ally of Russia. She tried to get her out of the howl
we are with Turkey. Joseph II died in February 1790. His brother Leopold, who had previously been the ruler of Tuscany, ascended the Austrian throne. Changes have occurred in Austria's foreign policy. The new emperor, unlike his predecessor, was opposed to the war and sought to end it. This circumstance favored the intentions of the Prussian king.
Turkey's situation was difficult. Over the course of three campaigns, its armed forces suffered crushing defeats on land and at sea. The destructive blows of A.V. Suvorov’s troops in the battles of Kinburg, Focsani and Rymnik were especially sensitive for her. At the beginning of 1790, Russia proposed to its enemy to make peace. But the Sultan's government, which was strongly influenced by England and Prussia, refused. Hostilities resumed.
Catherine II demanded that Potemkin take decisive action in defeating the Turkish army. Potemkin, despite the empress’s demands, was in no hurry, slowly maneuvering with small forces. The entire summer and early autumn passed with virtually no activity. The Turks, having strengthened themselves on the Danube, where their support was the Izmail fortress, began to strengthen their positions in the Crimea and Kuban. Potemkin decided to stop these plans. In June 1790, the Kuban corps of I.V. Gudovich besieged the heavily fortified Turkish fortress of Anapa. The fortress was defended by up to 25 thousand people, of which up to 13 thousand Turks and 12 thousand mountaineers subject to the Turks. Gudovich had 12 thousand soldiers. After a short siege, a decisive assault on Anapa was launched on June 21 and the fortress fell. The attack launched by the Circassians to the rear of the advancing troops was repulsed by a reserve prudently left behind. The Russians lost up to 3,000 people killed and wounded in this battle. Turkish losses were over 11 thousand. 13 thousand were taken prisoner. All 95 guns were taken as trophies.
Not having come to terms with the fall of Anapa in September 1790, the Turks landed the army of Batai Pasha on the Kuban coast, which, after being reinforced by mountain tribes, became 50 thousand strong.
On September 30, in the Laba valley on the Tokhtamysh river, it was attacked by a Russian detachment under the command of General German. Despite the large numerical superiority of the Turks - there were only 3,600 people in Herman's detachment - Bataille Pasha's army was defeated. He himself was captured.
The successes of the Russian army in the Kuban prompted Potemkin to begin active operations of the Southern Army. Potemkin moved to Southern Bessarabia. In a short time, the army captured the fortresses of Isaksey, Tulcha and Kima. The detachment of Gudovich Jr., together with Potemkin’s brother Pavel, besieged Izmail.
Ishmael was considered impregnable. It was located on a slope of heights sloping towards the Danube. A wide ravine stretching from north to south divided it into two parts, of which the western was called the Old Fortress, and the eastern - the New Fortress. The entire fortress had the shape of an irregular triangle, with its apex facing north and its base facing the Danube. It was built according to the latest engineering art. French and German military specialists took part in the construction. Ishmael had powerful walls along which stretched an earthen rampart with seven bastions. The length of the shaft was 6 km, height - 6-8 m. In front of the shaft there was a ditch filled with water, 12 meters wide and 6-10 meters deep. The garrison numbered 35 thousand people with 265 guns. The commandant and commander of the troops (seraskir) was Aidos Mehmet Pasha.
The siege of Ishmael was carried out sluggishly. Bad autumn weather made combat operations difficult. Sickness began among the soldiers. The situation was complicated by the weak interaction of the troops besieging the city.
However, the general situation in Russia in the second half of 1790 improved markedly. F.F. Ushakov, who had recently become commander of the Sevastopol flotilla, defeated the Turkish flotilla at Tendra on August 28. This victory cleared the Black Sea of the Turkish fleet, which prevented Russian ships from passing to the Danube to assist in the capture of the fortresses of Tulcea, Galati, Brailov, Izmail. Although Austria came out of the war, the strength here did not decrease, but increased. The rowing flotilla of de Ribas cleared the Danube of Turkish boats and occupied Tulcea and Isaccea. Potemkin's brother Pavel approached Izmail on October 4. Soon the detachments of Samoilov and Gudovich appeared here. There were about 30 thousand Russian troops here.
In the interests of radical improvement of affairs, it was decided to send A.V. Suvorov to Izmail. On November 25, G.A. Potemkin, who led the operations of the Russian army in the theater of military operations, gave the order to appoint Suvorov as commander of the troops in the Izmail region. In a handwritten note sent on the same day, he wrote: “According to my order to you, your personal presence there will connect all the parts. There are many generals of equal rank, and this always results in a kind of indecisive Diet.” Suvorov was endowed with very broad powers. He was given the right, having assessed the situation, to independently decide on the methods further actions. Potemkin’s letter to him dated November 29 says: “I leave it to Your Excellency to act here at your best discretion, whether by continuing the enterprises in Izmail or abandoning it.”
The appointment of Suvorov, who was known as an outstanding master of bold and decisive actions, was received with great satisfaction by the general and the troops. With his arrival to Ishmael, hopes were pinned for a quick victory. “Everyone is of the opinion,” says the letter from Count G.I. Chernyshev, “that as soon as Suvorov arrives, the city will be taken by an unexpected attack, immediately, by storm.”
And indeed, from December 2, when A.V. Suvorov arrived at Izmail, events there took a different turn. By this time, the military council of generals decided to lift the siege and retreat. Having familiarized himself with the situation, the commander, on the contrary, ordered preparations for the assault to begin. “A fortress without weak points,” he reported to Potemkin on December 3. “Today we have begun preparing siege materials, which were not available, for the batteries, and we will try to complete them for the next assault in about five days...”
Preparations for the assault were carried out carefully. Not far from the fortress, they dug a ditch and poured a rampart, which resembled those of Izmail, and the troops persistently trained in overcoming these fortifications. On both sides of Izmail, on the banks of the Danube, two siege batteries with 10 guns each were erected. On the island of Catal, lying on the Danube, in different time We installed 7 batteries. Fachines and assault ladders were prepared. Much attention was paid to raising the morale of Russian soldiers. Suvorov personally toured the troops, talked with the soldiers, recalled previous victories, and instilled faith in the success of the upcoming assault. “The time was favorable for our preparations,” wrote Suvorov, “the weather was clear and warm.” But he did not dare to predict the outcome of the assault: it seemed so difficult to him.
Within five days, as A.V. Suvorov had expected, all preparatory measures were completed, and the troops were only waiting for the signal to go on the offensive. To avoid unnecessary sacrifices, a letter from G.A. Potemkin was sent to the commandant and other military leaders in Izmail on December 7, demanding the “voluntary surrender of the city.” At the same time, Suvorov sent a letter there on his own behalf. It said: “By starting the siege and assault of Ishmael by Russian troops in a notable number, but observing the duty of humanity, in order to avert the bloodshed and cruelty that occurs, I let your Excellency and the venerable sultans know through this and demand the surrender of the city without resistance.” 24 hours were given for reflection.
On December 8, in the evening, a response was received from Aidos-Mehmetapasha, which contained, according to Suvorov, “the uniform stubbornness and pride of the enemy, who placed firm hope in his own strength.” The Turkish command rejected the offer to surrender. Seraskir, wanting to gain time, asked to conclude a truce for a period of 10 days. The next morning, Suvorov sent an officer to Ishmael “to verbally explain to the seraskir’s letter that there would be no mercy for them.”
On December 9, Suvorov convened a military council. It was called upon to resolve the issue of order and method of action. His resolution read: “When approaching Ishmael, the disposition is to begin the assault immediately, so as not to give the enemy time to strengthen even more, and therefore there is no longer any need to refer to His Lordship as the commander-in-chief. Seraskir's request was refused. Turning a siege into a blockade should not be carried out. The retreat is reprehensible to Her Imperial Majesty’s victorious troops.”
At 3 o'clock in the morning on December 11, Russian columns began to advance to the fortress walls, and at 5 o'clock 30 minutes, according to a prearranged signal, a rocket went up - they went on the attack. The assault on Ishmael has begun. The day before the troops were given an order. It read: “Brave warriors! Bring to your mind on this day all our victories and prove that nothing can resist the power of Russian weapons. We are faced not with a battle, which would be in our will to postpone, but with the inevitable capture of a famous place, which will decide the fate of the campaign, and which the proud Turks consider impregnable. The Russian army besieged Ishmael twice and retreated twice; All that remains for us, for the third time, is either to win or die with glory.”
The breakthrough of three Russian columns of generals Lassi, Lvov (right wing) and Kutuzov (left wing) into Izmail ensured success. How it happened, Suvorov himself told: “The day was already palely illuminating the objects,” he wrote, “all our columns, having overcome enemy fire and all difficulties, were already inside the fortress, but the rejected enemy stubbornly and firmly defended themselves from the ramparts. Each step had to be acquired with a new defeat; many thousands of the enemy fell from our victorious weapons, and his death seemed to revive new strength in him, but strong despair strengthened him.”
Twenty light ships landed troops from the Danube, which immediately joined the battle. The officers walked ahead and fought like privates. The Turks were shot down from the river side when the Cossack flotilla of the ataman of the Black Sea army, Anton Golovaty, approached.
It was 11 o'clock in the morning. The enemy launched desperate counterattacks. The fierce battle inside the fortress lasted six and a half hours. It ended in favor of the Russians. “Thus,” wrote Suvorov, “victory has been achieved. The Izmail fortress, so fortified, so extensive and which seemed invincible to the enemy, was taken by the terrible weapon of Russian bayonets.” The defeat of the enemy was complete. He lost 26 thousand killed and 9 thousand captured. Among those killed was Seraskir Aidos Mehmet-
Pasha. The trophies of the winners were 265 guns, 42 ships, 345 banners and 7 horsetails.
The losses of Russian troops were considerable. 4 thousand comfortable and 6 thousand wounded; out of 650 officers, 250 remained in the ranks.
Despite the defeat of Turkish troops near Izmail, Türkiye did not intend to lay down its arms. Catherine II again demanded that Potemkin take decisive action against the Turks beyond the Danube. In February 1791, Potemkin, having transferred command of the army to Prince Repnin, left for St. Petersburg.
Repnin began to act according to the command of the empress and sent troops of Golitsyn and Kutuzov to Dobruja, where they forced the Turkish forces to retreat. According to Repnin's plan, the Russian army was supposed to cross the Danube at Galati. Kutuzov’s detachment had to divert part of the Turkish forces to itself, which he did, defeating a 20,000-strong Turkish detachment at Babadach. Repnin himself, having crossed the Danube on June 28, 1791, attacked the Turks at Machin. The Turkish army of 80 thousand people was defeated and fled to Girsov. Repnin had 30 thousand soldiers with 78 guns in three corps (Golitsyn, Kutuzov and Volkonsky).
The defeat at Machin forced the Porte to begin peace negotiations. However, only the new defeat of the Turkish fleet by the Russian fleet under the command of Admiral F.F. Ushakov on July 31, 1791 at Cape Kaliakria (Bulgaria) actually ended the Russian-
Turkish war. The Turkish Sultan, seeing the losses suffered on land and at sea and fearing for the safety of Constantinople, ordered the vizier to make peace.
On December 29, 1791, a peace treaty was signed in Iasi. The Porta fully confirmed the Kuchuk-Kainardzhi Treaty of 1774, renounced claims to Crimea and ceded Kuban and the entire territory from the Bug to the Dniester to Russia, together with Ochakov. In addition, it was agreed that the rulers of Moldavia and Wallachia would be appointed by the Sultan with the consent of Russia.
The peculiarity of the new war with Turkey was its protracted, sluggish nature. It lasted from 1787 to 1791. The main reason for the prolongation of hostilities was the decline in the level of leadership on the part of Potemkin. His Serene Highness felt that his influence at court was declining, that young favorites were replacing him, and he was over fifty years old. Perhaps that is why he spent most of his time in St. Petersburg, trying to strengthen his position. All this had a detrimental effect on the leadership of the troops. Moreover, not having sufficiently expressed military leadership talent, he at the same time limited the initiative of his talented subordinates. The real hero, who showed his highest military leadership talent in this war, is A.V. Suvorov. The victory at Turtukai made Suvorov famous. Fokshani and Rymnik glorified his name, and Izmail made Suvorov legendary.
Russian military art at the end of the eighteenth century was at a very high level. This was evidenced by numerous victorious battles and successfully conducted military campaigns. As the historian Kersnevsky pointed out, the plan for creating
This magnificent building called Russian military art was outlined by Peter the Great, the foundation was laid by Field Marshal Rumyantsev, and the building itself was erected by the great Suvorov. The main structures of this building - the echeloning of troops in depth, the presence of combat reserves, the ability to determine the direction of the main attack, the concentration of shock troops in this direction, the timely introduction of reserves into battle have always given Russian troops an advantage in the fight against the stereotyped actions of troops of Western European states and often unorganized masses of Turkish troops.
At the end of the 18th century, the state of relations between European states was determined by their attitude towards the young French republic. Almost all the monarchical states of Europe were at war with revolutionary France. Russia also got involved in this war after the French captured the island. Malta, in which the new Russian Emperor Paul I was the nominal head of the Order of Malta. This war was planned to be waged in three directions: in Holland, where the Russian expeditionary corps under the command of General Herman was heading through England; in Italy - the main forces of the Russian army numbering 65 thousand people under the command of Suvorov and the Russian fleet in the Mediterranean under the command of Admiral F.F. Ushakov.
The actions of Russian troops in Holland under the overall command of the English Duke of York were not successful, despite the heroism of the Russian soldiers. Inept command, difficult unfamiliar terrain crossed by numerous canals, and prolonged bad weather made it difficult to conduct the campaign, which began in early September. After a series of unsuccessful battles at Bergen and Castricum, the Russians briefly captured these cities, but were not supported in time by the allies and were forced to abandon them. The Duke of York concluded a truce with the French on November 19, 1799 and transported all the troops to England by ship.
Italian campaign of A.V. Suvorov
In recent years, A.V. Suvorov lived on his estate in the village of Konchanskoye. A determined opponent of the Prussian military system, which the emperor sought to establish in Russia, he was dismissed on February 6, 1797 without the right to wear a uniform.
Quite unexpectedly, Suvorov’s fate took a sharp turn. Adjutant S.I. Tolbukhin arrived in Konchanskoye. He delivered a rescript from Paul I dated February 4, 1799, which read: “Now I, Count Alexander Vasilyevich, have received news of the urgent desire of the Viennese court that you lead its armies in Italy, where my corps of Rosenberg and Hermann are going. And so, for this reason, and under the current European circumstances, I consider it my duty, not on my own behalf only, but on behalf of others, to invite you to take over the business and command and come here to leave for Vienna.”
The commander gladly accepted the appointment and hurried to St. Petersburg. However, the Austrians determined the subordination of their units to Suvorov only on the battlefield, and before and after the battle they controlled the entire group in the theater of war from Vienna. This made it difficult for Suvorov to prepare for battles.
There were two French armies in Italy: in the north of Italy, the army of General Scherer - 58 thousand people, in the south - the army of General MacDonald - 33 thousand.
On April 4, 1799, Suvorov arrived in Valeggio and took command of the allied army. He remained in Valeggio until April 8, awaiting the approach of the Russian division of Povalo-Shveikovsky, which was part of A.G. Rosenberg’s corps. This time was used to train Austrian troops in the basics of Suvorov tactics. The fact is that the training of personnel of the Austrian army was at the level of the Seven Years' War of 1756-1764. The method of fighting was based on salvo fire from a closed formation; columns were used only for marching movement. The command staff was not independent in its actions. This was largely due to the existence of a court military council - the Gofkriegsrat. He strove to lead the troops, going into the smallest details of combat activity, thereby fettering the initiative of generals and officers and at the same time strictly adhering to linear tactics. In addition, the leadership of the Hofkriegsrat was a certain Thugut - a man who generally had little knowledge of military affairs.
Exercises were carried out every day, during which Russian officers taught the Austrians the art of conducting offensive combat. The main attention was paid to developing the skills of the troops to act boldly and decisively with edged weapons. Suvorov's plan called for defeating the armies of Scherer and MacDonald piecemeal. Already on April 8, Suvorov began a campaign with part of his troops to blockade the fortresses of Peschiera and Mantua. With the main forces numbering 48 thousand people. Suvorov opposed the army of Moreau, who had just replaced Scherer. Moreau was considered Napoleon's most outstanding general. On April 16, Suvorov attacked the French near the town of Cassano on the river. Adda. Next, he outlined the capture of Milan and the Adda River was a difficult natural obstacle. From Lecco to Cassano it flowed on high banks, with the right bank everywhere dominating the left. Below Cassano, the banks became low-lying, swampy, with many branches, wide and deep ditches. It was impassable for fording. The enemy held in his hands the bridges at Lecco, Cassano, Lodi and Pizzigetone.
And at 8 o’clock in the morning on April 15, Bagration’s troops attacked Lecco, where a 5,000-strong detachment under the command of Soye was defending. This attack began the battle on the Adda River. The offensive was carried out from three sides: north, east, south. The enemy, having fortified himself in the gardens and houses of the city, offered stubborn resistance. Enemy batteries located on the heights behind Adda fired heavily at the storming Russian columns. Despite this, Bagration’s troops broke the enemy’s resistance with a decisive bayonet strike, broke into the city and threw back the French units defending Lecco to the opposite bank of the river. The French were defeated in this battle. They lost 2,500 killed and wounded, 5,000 prisoners. The Russians lost 2000 people. Scattered groups of Moro's defeated army retreated to Genoa. And this meant: the path to Milan was open. Taking the lead, the Cossacks of Ataman Denisov expelled the French from Milan on April 17.
Having recovered, the French decided to attack Suvorov’s army from two directions: with the remnants of Moro’s army from the south of the Genoa region and from the east with Macdonald’s army. On May 24, French troops moved against the Russians. Suvorov decided, as before, to first complete the defeat of Moreau, and then attack MacDonald with all his might. However, Moreau did not accept the battle and began to retreat to his previous good position in the area of Genoa with the fortresses of Verona and Alexandria on the flanks of the army.
By mid-May 1799, Suvorov's army, having won a number of outstanding victories, actually liberated almost all of Northern Italy from French power. Its main forces were in Piedmont. The troops of the left wing - the detachments of Klenau and Ott, led by Krai - successfully completed their task. On May 12, Klenau's detachment approached the Ferrara fortress and captured it on the same day. Three days later, on May 15, the garrison of her citadel capitulated. 1.5 thousand enemy soldiers were captured and 58 guns were captured. The capture of Ferrara was important. This fortress reliably ensured the safety of transportation of military cargo along the Po River. Allied troops reached an area rich in food supplies.
Assessing the general situation, Suvorov considered it very favorable for continuing the offensive. He sought to end the campaign as quickly as possible with victory over the enemy. Even during the Piedmontese operation, the field marshal began to develop a new strategic plan, which was finally formed in Turin. His main idea was to use the allied forces to strike at all three French armies - MacDonald, Moreau and Massena. The plan was characterized by Suvorov's scope, clarity and precision in the formulation of combat missions.
Suvorov decided not to waste time and defeat the enemy piece by piece. The first blow was planned to be delivered against MacDonald's most powerful and dangerous army. In the camp near Alexandria, including the arriving detachment of Bellegarde, there were 38.5 thousand people. Suvorov intended most of these troops (24 thousand) for an offensive against MacDonald. He left the remaining troops (14.5 thousand), led by Bellegarde, at Alexandria, ordering only weak cavalry detachments to be advanced to observe Moreau towards the Riviera. General Ott was ordered not to get involved in battles with the enemy until the arrival of the main forces, but only to restrain his advance in the area between Parma and Piancenza. As for General Kray, he had to release some of the troops from the siege corps and send them to reinforce the main forces and detachments of Klenau and Hohenzollern.
Suvorov, leaving a barrier at Alessandria against a possible advance by Moro, quickly covered about 90 km in 36 hours. And on June 6 he suddenly attacked MacDonald. The area where the battle was to take place was a flat plain, bounded on the north by the Po River and on the south by the spurs of the Apennine Mountains. Three narrow, shallow rivers flowed there - Tidone, Trebbia and Nura. In the dry summer of 1799, they were fordable everywhere. The actions of the troops, especially the cavalry, were hampered only by numerous ditches, vineyards, hedges, and fences. This area was in in a certain sense historical. Two thousand years ago, in 218 BC, here on the Trebbia River, the famous Carthaginian commander Hannibal completely defeated the Roman legions. In a stubborn four-day battle on June 6-8 on the Tribbia River, the Russian army completely defeated the French. The brilliant forced march of Suvorov's army confirmed the principle that one of the conditions for victory is surprise in the attack. The Allies under the command of Suvorov delivered the main blow to the French left flank. However, the initial success could not be developed; the French quickly brought reserves into battle. On June 8, the battle reached extreme tension. Some Russian regiments fought practically surrounded by the enemy. Nevertheless, the allied army steadfastly met the counterattack of the French troops, and then defeated them. Suvorov immediately sent Bagration's vanguard (6 infantry battalions, 2 Cossack regiments and 6 squadrons of Austrian dragoons) against Dombrovsky's division. The enemy was attacked by infantry from the front, and by Cossacks and dragoons from the flanks. With a swift blow, the enemy was overthrown and thrown back beyond the Trebbia. He lost 3 banners, one cannon and up to 400 prisoners. After many hours of battle, when the fatigue of the troops reached the limit, Suvorov shouted: “Horse!”, sat down and rushed towards Bagration’s troops. As soon as the soldiers saw the old field marshal, suddenly everything changed; everything came to life; everything began to move: the guns began to shoot; rapid fire crackled; the drums beat; Where did people get their strength from?” A sudden attack by Bagration's vanguard on the flank and rear of the French divisions changed the course of the struggle. And this despite the fact that the superiority of forces was on the side of the enemy. He hastily retreated behind the Trebbia. Pursuing the retreating French, the allies captured 60 guns and up to 18 thousand prisoners.
Upon learning of Macdonald's defeat, Moreau retreated from Genoa, uniting with the remnants of his Moreau army only in the mountains of the Riviera.
The Austrian allies did not allow Suvorov to take advantage of the fruits of the brilliant victory at Trebbia, limiting his initiative in every possible way, and, moreover, they opposed his plans. The French took advantage of the passivity of the Austrians, strengthening the battered troops by Suvorov and increasing their number to 45 thousand. General Joubert was placed at the head of these troops. On July 17, Mantua, besieged by the Allies, fell and Suvorov began active operations. He marched towards Joubert's army. Enemy troops lined up near Novi. Joubert paused his movement, not daring to attack the allied forces. Suvorov took advantage of Joubert's indecisiveness and on August 4 he himself attacked the French. He struck the main blow on the right flank of Joubert's army. At the beginning of the battle, Joubert was killed. Despite the exceptional tenacity of the French, who defended their heavily fortified position, thanks to the military genius of Suvorov, who misled the enemy by imitating main blow in the secondary direction, and concentrated superior forces in the main direction, they were defeated.
Having lost about 17 thousand people killed, wounded and captured, the French retreated to the Mediterranean coast. Almost all of Italy was now liberated from the French.
Fearing the strengthening of Russia, England and Austria decided to remove Russian troops from Italy. In mid-August 1799, Suvorov received from Vienna an order from the Austrian Emperor, sanctioned by Paul I, to withdraw allied troops through the Alps to Switzerland to join Rimsky-Korsakov’s corps in order to launch an offensive into France from there. Suvorov had to obey.
The Italian campaign of Field Marshal A.V. Suvorov, although it took place in a difficult military-political situation, was crowned with complete success. The Allied forces, with the decisive role of the Russian army, defeated the French and actually liberated Italy from French domination, showing heroism and courage.
Mediterranean campaign of F.F. Ushakov
While fierce battles were taking place on the soil of Italy between the “miracle heroes” Suvorov and the French troops, battles were unfolding in the Mediterranean Sea of the Russian-Turkish squadron under the command of Admiral F.F. Ushakov for the liberation of the Ionian Islands captured by the French. These islands served as bases to support the operations of the French fleet in the Mediterranean Sea.
When Ushakov brought the squadron to the islands, he immediately landed troops on them.
Russian landings, warmly welcomed by the Greek population, drove the French out of all the islands, with the exception of the island itself. big island archipelago - Corfu, which had a first-class, heavily defended fortress and a large garrison.
On October 24, 1798, the advance detachment from Ushakov’s squadron under the command of Captain 1st Rank Selivachev, consisting of 3 battleships, 3 frigates and 3 auxiliary ships, began a blockade of the island. From the sea, the fortress and roadstead of Corfu were covered by 5 artillery batteries on the island. Vida. On land there was an old fortress (citadel) and the strengthening of a new fortress with 3 advanced forts. The fortress garrison consisted of 3,700 people, armament - about 650 guns of various calibers. The fortress was covered from the sea by a French squadron consisting of one battleship, one frigate, one bombardment ship and several auxiliary ships.
On November 8, Ushakov arrived in the waters of Corfu with his squadron. Until February 1799, the Allies conducted local military operations. And to blockade the fortress, they landed troops on Corfu and installed batteries in the northern and southern directions of the fortress. After preparatory activities the fortress was blocked from land and sea. From the sea side, Ushakov concentrated 12 battleships, 11 frigates, 2 corvettes and auxiliary vessels. The Russian landing corps of 1.7 thousand people was reinforced by 4.3 thousand Turkish Albanian subjects. The plan for the assault on the Corfu fortress, developed by Ushakov, contrary to the generally accepted tactics of capturing sea fortresses by blockade from the sea and assault from land, provided for an attack on the fortress from the sea after intense bombardment. This was followed by a naval landing and, following an attack from the sea, an assault on the fortress from land.
The assault began on February 18, 1799 early in the morning. After the artillery was suppressed by intensive bombardment of the fortress and batteries on Vido Island, troops were landed. The besieging troops from land and landing from the sea attacked the advanced forts and in some places captured the fortress wall and started a battle inside the fortress. On February 20, the French capitulated. 16 ships, about 630 guns and more than 2,900 prisoners were captured as trophies.
The tactics of capturing sea fortresses, first used by Ushakov, was a further development of the naval art of military fleets in landing amphibious assault forces and capturing heavily fortified sea fortresses.
Swiss campaign of A.V. Suvorov
On August 28, the Russian army from Alessandria set out on a campaign, in accordance with the decision of the heads of the allied states, from Italy to Switzerland.
What was the Union's strategic plan?
After the connection of the Russian corps of A.M. Rimsky-Korsakov and the troops of A.V. Suvorov, the combined forces were to invade France from Switzerland, and the Austrian army of Melas from Italy was to attack Savoy. At the same time, the main forces of the Austrian army under the command of Archduke Charles from Switzerland were transferred to the Rhine against French forces in Belgium and, together with the Anglo-Russian corps, in Holland. The French troops thus came under attack from three sides and were routed. This Allied plan served primarily the interests of Austria, as well as England. Austria wanted to consolidate its dominance in Italy by removing Russian troops from it. England, through an expedition to Holland, wanted to capture the Dutch fleet and ensure dominance at sea. According to the terms of the agreement, before Russian troops entered Switzerland, the Austrians had to clear it of the French.
However, the Austrians, liberating Switzerland from the French, began to withdraw their troops, which significantly complicated the situation of Rimsky-Korsakov’s corps - 24 thousand people and the Austrian Hotze detachment (10.5 thousand people), putting it under attack from the French army of General Massena numbering 84 thousand people. Massen concentrated in the Muoten Valley. In addition, small detachments also operated here total number about 23 thousand people. The Austrian command was supposed to collect 1,430 mules, ammunition and a 4-day supply of food in Tavern, at the foot of the Alps.
Leaving Alexandria on August 31, Suvorov’s troops (21.5 thousand people, including 4.5 thousand Austrians) arrived at the foot of the Alps in Tavern on September 4. To move to join the corps of Rimsky-Korsakov, Suvorov chose the shortest route through the St. Gotthard Pass to Schwyz, to the rear of Massena’s army. However, in the Tavern, the Austrian commissariat did not prepare the required number of pack mules and food. It took 5 days to collect pack animals and replenish food supplies. Field artillery and convoys were sent to Lake Bdenskoe by a roundabout route. Suvorov left with the troops only regimental mountain guns, a total of 25 guns.
In the vanguard was the division of P.I. Bagration with 6 guns. The main forces moved under the command of General W.H. Derfelden, consisting of two divisions and 11 guns, and the division of A.B. Rosenberg with 8 guns closed the order. Each division marched in echelon with a reconnaissance force of 50 Cossacks. At the head of the division, 1 battalion marched with one gun, each regiment also with one gun.
On September 10, Russian troops approached Saint Gotthard, occupied by an 8.5-thousand French detachment of Lecourbes. Suvorov directed General Rosenberg's column to bypass the pass through Disentis to the Devil's Bridge to the rear of the enemy, and he himself attacked Saint Gotthard. Two Russian attacks were repulsed. During the third attack, General Bagration's detachment went to the rear of the French position. During the fierce battle on September 14 at the Devil's Bridge, in front of the eyes of the French, the Russians crossed the stormy Reissa, passing through the Devil's Bridge and reaching the enemy's flanks. The French retreated again. On September 15, Suvorov's troops arrived in Altdorf. At Lake Four Contons it turned out that there was no road from here to Schwyz along Lake Lucerne. It was not possible to cross Lake Lucerne due to the lack of crossing facilities. All serviceable ships were captured by the French and hijacked. Suvorov learned about mountain trails through the Rostock ridge to the Muoten Valley.
Russian troops covered the difficult 18-mile route to the Muoten Valley in 2 days. Arriving in the Muoten Valley, Suvorov received news that on September 15, Massena near Zurich defeated Rimsky-Korsakov in parts with a concentrated attack and occupied Schwyz.
Suvorov's troops found themselves surrounded by three times superior forces in the Muoten Valley without sufficient food and with a limited amount of ammunition.
The position of Suvorov's troops seemed hopeless. At the military council on September 18, it was decided to break through the Pragel Pass to Glaris. Rosenberg's rearguard had the difficult task of covering this maneuver from Massena's army, which was already descending from Schwyz into the Muoten Valley. Bagration's vanguard with a swift attack drove Melithar's division away from Muoten and opened the road to Glaris. At this time, Rosenberg’s rearguard fought a stubborn battle for three days, holding back Massena’s 15,000-strong detachment, and then, going on the attack, drove the enemy away from Schwyz and even captured 1,200 prisoners. Massena himself barely escaped capture. Meanwhile, the main forces of the army climbed the icy cliffs and reached Glaris on September 20. On September 23, Rosenberg's rearguard joined the main forces in Glaris.
From Glaris, in order to save the troops, Suvorov decided to retreat through the Ringenkopf Pass to Ilanz. Here began the most difficult transition of Suvorov’s army. The pass was the most difficult test for the troops. During the transition, a snow storm arose, the troops moved almost gropingly along goat paths, over abysses. Many fell into the abyss. The exhausted army left the artillery at the foot of the ridge, riveting the guns and covering them with stones. On September 26, Suvorov gave the army its first rest in Paniks in the Ilanz area, and on October 1 he went to Augsburg for winter quarters. Left behind are the bottomless abysses and graves of comrades, the admiration of enemies for the feat of “Miracle Heroes” Suvorov. The Russian army made a difficult mountain trek unprecedented in history, repelling attacks from superior enemy forces during the course, and emerged victorious from encirclement along with 1,400 prisoners. On October 19, 1799, Suvorov led his army to Bovaria. After a two-week journey through the Alps, about 15 thousand soldiers remained in the ranks. 1600 were killed and died on the campaign, 3500 were wounded. Paul I, seeing Austria's ambivalent policy, ordered Suvorov to return with the army to Russia. The alliance with treacherous Austria was dissolved. For his amazing feat, Suvorov was awarded the highest military rank of generalissimo. He received the title of Prince of Italy.
In this war, as often happened before, Russian blood was shed for the interests of others. Apart from raising the prestige of the Russian soldier, this war brought nothing to Russia. The 1799 campaign was the last and was a brilliant military achievement of the genius Suvorov. Suvorov showed examples of flexible and decisive actions in mountainous terrain under unfavorable conditions weather conditions, capture techniques mountain peaks and passes through flank attacks and attacks from the front. Suvorov himself said about the campaign: “The Russian bayonet broke through the Alps.”
Foreign policy of Catherine II. Foreign policy issues were paramount for Catherine II. Peter I won access to the Baltic sea for Russia. But for the development of trade, to protect the borders in the south of Russia, the shores of the Black and Azov Seas were needed. This would inevitably lead to a clash with the Ottoman Empire (Turkey), the ruler of the Black Sea. The strengthening of Russia worried large European countries - England, Austria, France, and they began to make efforts to push Russia and the Ottoman Empire together and thereby weaken both.
Russian-Turkish War 1768 - 1774
In 1768, Turkey, supported by France, began military operations against Russia in Ukraine and the Caucasus. The first Russian-Turkish war began during the reign of Catherine II. In 1770, on the tributaries of the Prut River - Large and Kagul - commander P.A. Rumyantsev defeated Turkish army. Brilliant victories were won at sea. Russia did not have its own fleet on the Black Sea. A small Russian squadron under the leadership of Admiral G.A. Spiridova left the Baltic, circled Europe and entered the Mediterranean Sea. Here A.G. took over the leadership of the fighting. Orlov. The Russian command resorted to military cunning. In 1770, the entire Turkish fleet was lured into the cramped Chesme Bay, locked up and set on fire at night. The Turkish fleet burned in Chesme Bay overnight. In 1771, Russian troops occupied all the main centers of Crimea. (Crimea had been under the protection of Turkey since 1475. For Russia, Crimea was a “nest of robbers” and posed a great danger.) In 1772, the Crimean Khan Shagin-Girey proclaimed the independence of Crimea from Turkey. This was the first stage of the annexation of Crimea to Russia. Türkiye recognized the independence of Crimea; - Russia received the right of unhindered navigation in the Black Sea and the right of passage through the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits; - Russia received the right to have its own fleet in the Black Sea; - Georgia was freed from the heaviest tribute by young men and women sent to Turkey; - the rights of Orthodox peoples in the Ottoman Empire (Moldavians, Greeks, Romanians, Georgians, etc.) expanded. In 1783, Russian troops entered Crimea without any warning. The Turkish Sultan could not do anything. The Crimean Khanate was liquidated, Crimea became part of Russia. Vast territories of the northern Black Sea region were transferred to Russia. They received the name Novorossiya. The most talented favorite of Catherine II, G.A., was appointed governor of New Russia. Potemkin. He took up the development of this region and the construction of the Black Sea Fleet.
Treaty of Georgievsk
In the 90s XVIII century Russia's position in Transcaucasia and the Caucasus began to strengthen. Türkiye and Persia also intensified their expansion into Georgia. Georgia at that time was experiencing a period of feudal fragmentation and was not a unified state. Kakheti and Kartalinia under the rule of Erekle II united into Eastern Georgia. The Georgian principalities in the west - Imereti, Mengrelia, Guria - each had their own kings or sovereign princes. Türkiye and Persia carried out devastating raids on Georgian lands. Kakheti and Kartaliniya paid a shameful tribute with beautiful girls to the Persians, and Imereti, Mengrelia, Guria paid the same tribute to the Turks. The principalities were in constant hostility among themselves. The small Georgian people, in order to preserve their identity, needed a strong patron. On July 24, 1783, in the fortress of Georgievsk (North Caucasus), an agreement was concluded between the Georgian king of Eastern Georgia (Kakheti and Kartalinia) Irakli II and Russia on patronage. The Treaty of Georgievsk was signed, according to which Eastern Georgia, exhausted under the blows of the Turks, came under the protection of Russia while maintaining autonomy. Russia guaranteed territorial integrity and inviolability of borders to Eastern Georgia. Fearing military clashes with Turkey, Russia refused to conclude the same agreement with the western Georgian principalities. In 1787, Catherine II decided to visit Novorossiya, accompanied by a brilliant retinue. For 4 years, the tireless G.A. Potemkin turned Novorossiya into a flourishing land. He founded the cities of Kherson, Nikolaev, Ekaterinoslav (now Dnepropetrovsk), Nikopol, and Odessa. G.A. Potemkin introduced agriculture, crafts, and created industry. He invited immigrants from other countries and attracted them with low taxes. The first ships of the Black Sea Fleet were built in Kherson. Construction of Sevastopol, the main base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, began in the convenient Akhtiar Bay. Later, for his work for the benefit of the Russian state, he received the title of His Serene Highness Prince and an honorary addition to the surname - Potemkin - Tavrichesky. (Tavrida is the ancient name of Crimea). In Turkey, Catherine II's travel was regarded as Russia's desire to further expand Russia's borders in the south at the expense of Turkish territories. In 1787, the Turkish Sultan declared war on Russia. The second Russian-Turkish war began during the reign of Catherine II.
Military talent A.V. Suvorov had blossomed by this time. In July 1789 he defeated the Turks at Focsani, and in August 1789 - on the Rymnik River. Victory was close, but it was impossible without the capture of Ishmael. Izmail - a Turkish fortress, recently built by the French, with walls 25 meters high, was considered impregnable and was the pride of the Turkish Sultan. In 1790 A.V. Suvorov received an order to take Izmail. Near Izmail, his military fate was at stake: A.V. Suvorov was already 60 years old. Commandant of Izmail A.V. Suvorov wrote: “24 hours to think is freedom, my first shot is already bondage; assault is death.” In the early morning of December 11, 1790, Russian troops launched an assault on the fortress. In 6 hours. Ishmael was taken. The way to Istanbul was opened for Russian troops. Brilliant victories were also won at sea. Commander of the young Black Sea Fleet F.F. Ushakov in 1791 defeated the Turkish fleet at Cape Kaliakria. The Turks hastened to sit down at the negotiating table. In 1791, a peace treaty was concluded in Iasi. According to the Yassy Peace Treaty: - The Ottoman Empire recognized Crimea as possession of Russia; - Russia included the territories between the Bug and Dniester rivers, as well as Taman and Kuban; - Türkiye recognized Russian patronage of Georgia, established by the Treaty of Georgievsk in 1783.