Battle of Kukush

The Battle of Kukush was a clash between Bulgarian and Greek forces, part of the Greek offensive north of Thessaloniki at the beginning of the Second Balkan War. It took place from 19 to 21 June 1913, alongside the Battle of Lachanas. These clashes occurred because Greek intelligence uncovered Bulgarian plans to concentrate military operations in Serbia. In response, the Greeks deployed four armies between the Vardar River and Lake Langadas to intercept Bulgarian troops while they were fighting the Serbs. 

A fierce battle took place on the approaches to Kukush, along the Zhensko–Hambarkyoy line, where the Bulgarian army's 2nd Brigade of the 3rd Balkan Division faced an attack by four Greek divisions. 

To avoid encirclement, the brigade's regiments withdrew to their main positions along the Yaneshevo–Saragyol–Shekerliya line, forming a semicircle around Kukush. The Greek advance was held up until the morning of 21 June with the help of reinforcements from the Serres Brigade, transferred from the left bank of the Struma River. During the night of 20–21 June, the Greek attacks intensified. Outflanked to the east and disrupted by Greek artillery before Yaneshevo, the Bulgarian defence failed in its counterattack. At noon on 21 June, the Bulgarian forces withdrew in disorder northwards through Kukush and Mutulovo. The Greek army did not pursue the Bulgarians, and after a brief engagement near Shekerli, the Bulgarian rearguard withdrew north after the main forces.

The Bulgarian troops lost the battle. Kukush was burnt down. The local Bulgarian population emigrated to Bulgaria.