Battle of Dermendere, Karaagach and Belashtitsa

The Battle of Dermendere, Karaagach and Belashtitsa was crucial to defeating Süleyman Pasha's remaining forces in Thrace during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878.

On 3 January 1878, Süleyman withdrew part of his force from the Plovdiv area towards Stanimaka, planning a retreat through the Rhodopes along the Chaya valley. The main force remained at Dermendere.

Lieutenant General Iosif Gurko directed the Western Detachment's main forces, led by Lieutenant General Pavel Shuvalov, against Dermendere. Fighting began at about 08:00 on 4 January, and Russian troops repelled three Ottoman attacks. Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Yuri Schilder-Schuldner's column outflanked the enemy through Komatevo, helping secure the positions.

On 4 January, Major General Daniil Krasnov's troops caught up with the enemy at Karaagach. After a full day of fighting, Russian regiments captured the village and resumed their advance the following day.

On 5 January, Schilder-Schuldner's column encountered a large enemy force along the line between the Tsurit estate, Belashtitsa and Karaagach. Coordinated manoeuvres defeated Süleyman Pasha's troops and forced them to retreat.

These victories enabled the Western Detachment to split Süleyman's forces and block their retreat towards Adrianople. They were compelled to withdraw through the Rhodopes, where they ceased to function as an organised fighting force.