Struggle for control of the Danube

The struggle for control of the Danube was an operation by the Russian Danube Flotilla during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878. It sought to secure the field army's river communications and divert Ottoman attention from the main crossing at Svishtov.

Both the Russian and Ottoman Danube flotillas took part. Russia's strategic plan called for control of the river and a successful crossing between Zimnicea and Svishtov to carry the war onto Ottoman territory. The Russian flotilla comprised 73 vessels and 740 officers and sailors. The Ottoman flotilla had 46 vessels, 77 coastal-defence guns and 946 officers and sailors.

Operations began with Russian shore batteries established between April and June to control the Danube, supported by mine barriers that restricted Ottoman vessels. In one engagement, Russian shore batteries sank the Ottoman corvette Lütfi Celil, alarming the Ottoman command.

After a series of successful Russian operations, the Ottoman command ceased its attempts to contest the river, and surviving vessels withdrew into Danube ports. The Russian flotilla thereby established control.

Russian victory.