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BATTLE // August 16, 1855

Battle of the Chernaya

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Overview

The Battle of the Chernaya was fought at the Traktir Bridge on the Chernaya River during the Crimean War on August 16, 1855. The battle was fought between Russian, French, Piedmontese and Ottoman troops. The Chernaya River is on the outskirts of Sevastopol, near the line of the allies' siege of the city.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battle of the Chernaya was fought at the Traktir Bridge on the Chernaya River on August 16, 1855, during the allied siege of Sevastopol. The engagement involved Russian forces against a combined French, Piedmontese, and Ottoman force on the outskirts of the besieged city. The disparity in casualties — roughly 8,800 Russian against 1,800–1,900 allied — indicated a costly failure for the larger Russian force of 60,000. Fought near the siege lines, the battle formed part of the wider contest over Sevastopol, the principal Russian naval base in the Black Sea and the central objective of the Crimean War. A Russian setback here weakened the defense of the city at a critical stage of the siege, contributing to the conditions that would determine the fall of Sevastopol.

Forces & casualties

Troop strength

  • French Empire36,000
    medium
  • Russian Empire60,000
    medium

Russian Empire fielded a 1.7 : 1 numerical advantage

Casualties

  • French Empire1,800–1,900
    medium5% loss rate
  • Russian Empire8,800
    medium15% loss rate

Commanders (9)

Russian Empire

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Related

6 sibling battles · 8 factions

Last verified May 2026
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