Battle of Teteven

The Battle of Teteven was an operation by the Lovech–Sevlievo Detachment to cut the Pleven–Yablanitsa–Sofia communications line of the Western Army besieged at Pleven during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878.

The Western Detachment under Major General Alexander Imeretinsky had already cut the Pleven–Lovech–Sofia route on 22 August 1877. Lieutenant General Pavel Kartsov's Lovech–Sevlievo Detachment was then tasked with extending that success by severing the route through Yablanitsa. A force of 6,449 soldiers and three batteries was assembled under Colonel David Orlov.

The Ottoman Orhaniye Army opposed it with 7,000 soldiers and 12 guns distributed between the Teteven and Yablanitsa garrisons.

The plan called for coordinated operations to surround and defeat the Ottoman forces at Teteven. Russian troops divided into eastern and northern columns to encircle the town. After repeated clashes, they captured Teteven and inflicted heavy Ottoman losses, securing control by 20 October 1877.

The defeat delayed, fragmented and demoralised Ottoman forces in the area. It enabled the Lovech–Sevlievo Detachment to advance towards Yablanitsa and cut the Pleven–Sofia communications line.