Battle of Plovdiv (1878)

The Battle of Plovdiv formed part of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878. The Ottoman command's main aim was to delay the Russian advance towards Adrianople after Russian forces had liberated Sofia and, according to the source, suffered defeat at Sheynovo.

In January 1878, a Russian force of 71,000 officers and men with 318 guns advanced from Sofia towards Pazardzhik, Plovdiv and Adrianople. Süleyman Pasha's Ottoman troops attempted to retreat into the Rhodopes, leaving covering battalions around Dermendere and Karaagach.

On 2 January, Russian forces crossed the Maritsa and broke through the Ottoman defences at Kadievo. Major General Pavel Shuvalov's force reached Plovdiv, while other Russian columns caught up with the Ottoman rearguard near Tsalapitsa and Parvenets.

Over the following days, Russian troops fought the remaining Ottoman detachments. A dragoon squadron under Captain Alexander Burago entered Plovdiv and secured several parts of the town.

On 4 January, Lieutenant General Iosif Gurko entered Plovdiv with his entire staff and proclaimed its liberation. Other Russian forces advanced against the Ottoman covering detachments and dispersed them.

The battle thus liberated Plovdiv and enabled the Russian advance to continue.