Battle of Ezerche

The Battle of Ezerche on 14 July 1877 was the first clash on the eastern front between the Russian Ruschuk Detachment and the Ottoman Eastern Danube Army during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878.

On 13 July, Ottoman forces comprising three infantry regiments and eight guns occupied Ezerche and built positions in the village and surrounding area. The vanguard of the Russian Ruschuk Detachment advanced to meet them.

On 14 July, a Russian force of 19 infantry companies, eight cavalry squadrons and ten guns began an advance at about 16:30 to dislodge the Ottomans. After three attacks and counterattacks, the Russians drove them back. Fighting moved into the village, and the Ottoman detachment withdrew towards Razgrad to avoid encirclement.

The Russian victory marked the beginning of operations on the eastern front and secured the Ruse–Razgrad road. Russian losses were 81 killed and 173 wounded officers and men; Ottoman losses were 249 killed and wounded.