Fighting in the Sevlievo region

The Battle of Sevlievo formed part of the opening phase of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878 and Russia's strategic planning. The aim was to cover the flank of the advancing Russian troops and fill the administrative vacuum in territory liberated from the Ottomans.

In June 1877, Russian troops took Tarnovo. Major General Nikolai of Leuchtenberg then ordered Cossack units to reconnoitre the route towards Sevlievo. On 2 July, Cossacks under Lieutenant Alexander Vereshchagin occupied Sevlievo after a clash with Turkish forces. Their task was to secure the town and prevent Turkish attacks.

Turkish forces attacked Sevlievo on 3 July, but the Cossacks and local Bulgarian population repelled them. Russian troops continued strengthening their positions over the following days. On 4 July, Major General Valerian Derozhinsky sent additional Cossacks as reinforcements.

On 5 July, a composite Cossack detachment was assembled under Colonel Alexei Zherebkov and ordered to capture Lovech. This was part of the Russian army's effort to liberate Bulgarian lands from Ottoman rule.

The battle helped liberate Sevlievo and establish local Bulgarian administration. The Cossacks' tactical operations played a key role in this process and contributed to the success of the Russian campaign in Bulgaria in 1877–1878.