Stormings of Turtucaia

The first storming of Turtucaia (Turtukaya) and the second storming of Turtucaia were two separate military engagements between the Russian and Ottoman armies during the Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774). They took place on 21 May and 28 June respectively, in 1773. The Ottoman stronghold of Turtucaia (now Tutrakan), its adjacent fortifications (redoubts, retrenchments) and camps were twice attacked by Russian reconnaissance.

The first engagement ended in Russian victory under Suvorov's leadership,—he seized Turtucaia itself; the second engagement began under Russian Major Rehbock (in accordance with the disposition), – he managed to capture the retrenchments, – and was completed with the reinforcements of Suvorov. In spite of Colonel Baturin's disorderliness, who lined up two infantry squares on the mountain and did not support Rehbock, as he should have done according to the disposition of personnel, and thus almost led the Russians to defeat, the second engagement also ended in Russian victory. In the second engagement, Russian forces were again at a severe disadvantage, as Suvorov was ill and was to battle against one of the finest Ottoman commanders in Sari Mehmet Pasha, who had some of the best troops of the Ottoman Empire, but nonetheless won.