Siege of Ochakov (1789)
Encyclopedia
The Second Siege of Özü
(now in Ukraine
) was one of the major events of the Russo-Turkish War (1787–1792). It was known as "Özü Kuşatması" in Turkish.
Russian forces led by Prince Grigori Potemkin
and general Alexander Suvorov
besieged the city, controlled by the Ottoman army under the command of Hasan Pasha
, in 1788. Despite Suvorov's urging to storm the city immediately, Potemkin kept the Russian forces encircling Özü (Ochakov), bombarding the city with cannons and cutting off the defenders' supply of food and ammunition. Having kept his soldiers out of direct battle, Potemkin was able to minimize Russian casualties, though he was accused by his Generals of cowardice. The argument about storming continued in the Russian headquarters during the entirety of the siege. Also, Russians captured strategically important Pirezin Island
on July 18, 1788.
The Turks made several attempts to break the siege. On July 27, about 5,000 janissaries
attacked positions of the Russian Cossak squad and forced it to retreat. Suvorov personally led reinforcements and chased janissaries to the Özü gates, but was injured.
Hassan-pasha expected reinforcements from the Turkish fleet, gathering in Limans, but after the attack of Admiral Senyavin
's fleet, Turkish reinforcements were cut off.
The condition of both armies continued to decline, there was a threat of epidemic, and the weather was growing very cold. Potemkin ultimately gave in to Suvorov's arguments. On the night of December 17 (December 6 by Julian Calendar), the Russians struck and captured Hassan-pasha's palace, forcing its guards to surrender. About 4,000 Turks were taken prisoners, including Hassan Pasha himself, but most of the city garrison was massacred in the street fight.
The Russian victory was glorified in a famous ode by Gavriil Derzhavin.
Ochakiv
Ochakiv is a city in the Mykolaiv Oblast of southern Ukraine. Serving as the administrative center of the Ochakivsky Raion , the city itself is also designated as a separate raion within the oblast, and is located on a peninsula in the Black Sea, at the entrance to the Dnieper Rivers's estuary,...
(now in Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
) was one of the major events of the Russo-Turkish War (1787–1792). It was known as "Özü Kuşatması" in Turkish.
Russian forces led by Prince Grigori Potemkin
Grigori Alexandrovich Potemkin
Prince Grigory Aleksandrovich Potemkin-Tavricheski was a Russian military leader, statesman, nobleman and favorite of Catherine the Great. He died during negotiations over the Treaty of Jassy, which ended a war with the Ottoman Empire that he had overseen....
and general Alexander Suvorov
Alexander Suvorov
Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov , Count Suvorov of Rymnik, Prince in Italy, Count of the Holy Roman Empire , was the fourth and last generalissimo of the Russian Empire.One of the few great generals in history who never lost a battle along with the likes of Alexander...
besieged the city, controlled by the Ottoman army under the command of Hasan Pasha
Cezayirli Gazi Hasan Pasha
Cezayirli Gazi Hasan Pasha or Hasan Pasha of Algiers was an Ottoman captain, Grand Admiral , Grand Vizier and general of the late 18th century....
, in 1788. Despite Suvorov's urging to storm the city immediately, Potemkin kept the Russian forces encircling Özü (Ochakov), bombarding the city with cannons and cutting off the defenders' supply of food and ammunition. Having kept his soldiers out of direct battle, Potemkin was able to minimize Russian casualties, though he was accused by his Generals of cowardice. The argument about storming continued in the Russian headquarters during the entirety of the siege. Also, Russians captured strategically important Pirezin Island
Berezan Island
Berezan is an island in the Black Sea at the entrance of the Dnieper-Bug estuary, Mykolaiv Oblast, Ukraine. The island measures approximately 900 metres in length by 320 metres in width...
on July 18, 1788.
The Turks made several attempts to break the siege. On July 27, about 5,000 janissaries
Janissary
The Janissaries were infantry units that formed the Ottoman sultan's household troops and bodyguards...
attacked positions of the Russian Cossak squad and forced it to retreat. Suvorov personally led reinforcements and chased janissaries to the Özü gates, but was injured.
Hassan-pasha expected reinforcements from the Turkish fleet, gathering in Limans, but after the attack of Admiral Senyavin
Senyavin
Senyavin is a Russian noble family , famous for its Imperial Russian Navy officers.*Aleksey Senyavin , a Russian admiral...
's fleet, Turkish reinforcements were cut off.
The condition of both armies continued to decline, there was a threat of epidemic, and the weather was growing very cold. Potemkin ultimately gave in to Suvorov's arguments. On the night of December 17 (December 6 by Julian Calendar), the Russians struck and captured Hassan-pasha's palace, forcing its guards to surrender. About 4,000 Turks were taken prisoners, including Hassan Pasha himself, but most of the city garrison was massacred in the street fight.
The Russian victory was glorified in a famous ode by Gavriil Derzhavin.