First assault on Pleven

The first assault on Pleven, beginning on 7 July 1877, opened one of the bloodiest struggles of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878.

On learning that the Russian army had captured Nikopol, Ottoman troops under Osman Pasha marched towards Pleven. Osman moved quickly and reached it before the Russians, who failed to cover the necessary distance in the same time. Three more battalions under Atuf Pasha joined him there, bringing Ottoman strength to about 17,000 officers and men.

Russian forces were also directed towards Pleven, but various delays prevented an immediate departure. Reconnaissance detachments sent ahead failed to detect the Ottoman army's movements. Despite reports of Ottoman troops in the area, Russian commanders believed the defences were weak and sent forces towards the town gradually.

The Russian Northern Detachment under Lieutenant General Yuri Schilder-Schuldner arrived first and confronted the Ottomans. It had almost twice as many troops as the enemy, but these were divided into northern and eastern detachments, leaving them vulnerable.

Osman Pasha's troops fortified the high ground at Yanak and prepared defensive positions, including batteries and infantry entrenchments, in anticipation of the attack.

The first assault on Pleven thus began, bringing the two armies face to face at a crucial moment in the war.

The first assault failed, principally because of poor reconnaissance. Russian commanders underestimated Ottoman numbers and encountered an enemy twice their strength in favourable defensive positions. Russian losses were 72 officers and 2,771 soldiers, while Ottoman losses were estimated at about 2,000 killed and wounded. Other causes included inaccurate maps that hampered movement, the delayed departure from Nikopol that allowed Osman Pasha to fortify Pleven, Ottoman soldiers' endurance and their commander's skilful use of the terrain. Some military experts regard Osman's failure to pursue the defeated Russian regiments as a serious mistake. After Nikopol's fall, Russian forces feared attacks from both Osman's army and troops approaching from the fortresses. These developments prompted preparations for a second assault on Pleven.