Battle of Himitli Pass

The Battle of Himitli Pass was a key engagement fought by the right column during the Russian Southern Detachment's crossing of the Balkan Mountains in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878.

The Southern Detachment began its crossing on 24 December 1878. The right column, under Lieutenant General Mikhail Skobelev, chose Himitli Pass. It included seven battalions of the Bulgarian volunteer militia.

The column's vanguard, commanded by Major General Nikolai Stoletov, left Toplesh for the pass on the evening of 24 December. Difficult terrain and snow slowed progress, but the main forces reached Karadzha Peak on the afternoon of 25 December.

The following day, units descended towards Himitli along two paths. Those on the eastern path encountered Ottoman troops on Akri Dzhebel Peak and fought fiercely, but the Russian units were brought down into the Golyamo Varvishte river valley.

Troops taking the western path met further resistance from Ottoman forces in the fortified camp at Sheynovo. After intense fighting, newly arrived units under Skobelev counterattacked, repelled the enemy and drove them towards Himitli.

On 27 December, Russian troops began outflanking the village, forcing the Ottomans to abandon it. The column then assembled for the attack on Sheynovo's Ottoman camp on 28 December.