BATTLE // January 1, 1710
Pruth River Campaign
Source · Wikipedia
Significance
The Pruth River Campaign of 1710–1713 resulted in a significant reversal for Peter the Great's Russia within the longer arc of the Russo-Turkish Wars. After Russian forces entered the Ottoman vassal Principality of Moldavia following the Ottoman declaration of war, they were encircled near Stănilești on the Pruth River by an Ottoman army of roughly 190,000 against a Russian force of 78,000. Three days of fighting produced heavy Russian casualties — 27,285 against Ottoman losses of 16,000 — and left Peter the Great in no position to resist Ottoman terms. The resulting Treaty of the Pruth, subsequently confirmed by the Treaty of Adrianople, compelled Russia to abandon the fortress of Azov and its surrounding territory, reversing one of the principal gains Russia had made in earlier phases of the Russo-Turkish conflicts. The campaign demonstrated the limits of Russian power projection into the Ottoman sphere at this stage of the wars and temporarily halted Russian expansion toward the Black Sea region.
Tactics
The main engagement took place over 18–22 July 1711 in the basin of the Pruth River near Stănilești. Russian, Cossack, and Moldavian forces, described as ill-prepared, found themselves surrounded by the Ottoman army under Grand Vizier Baltacı Mehmet Pasha. After three days of fighting, the encircled Russians negotiated a withdrawal rather than continuing to resist, agreeing to Ottoman terms in exchange for being allowed to retreat.
Forces & casualties
Troop strength
- Ottoman Empire190,000medium
- Tsardom of Russia78,000medium
Ottoman Empire fielded a 2.4 : 1 numerical advantage
Casualties
- Ottoman Empire16,000medium8% loss rate
- Tsardom of Russia27,285medium35% loss rate