Battle of Eupatoria

Battle context

The Russian assault on Eupatoria in February 1855 represented an attempt to dislodge Ottoman forces from a coastal stronghold on the Crimean peninsula. The attack failed, leaving the port in Ottoman hands and inflicting disproportionate casualties on the Russian force, which fielded roughly half the troops of the garrison it attacked. The unsuccessful operation constrained Russian operational flexibility on the peninsula at a period when the siege of Sevastopol was already placing severe demands on their forces. The defeat contributed to mounting pressure on the Russian high command and is associated with the tenure of commander Mikhail Gorchakov, whose forces were unable to reduce the position.