Battle of Kars
The Battle of Kars, fought in November 1877, was a significant military engagement during the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878) that took place in Asia Minor. Commanded by Mikhail Tarielovich Loris-Melikov, Russian forces launched a fierce assault on the city of Kars, overcoming its defensive fortifications after intense and brutal fighting. The battle culminated on November 18, with Turkish troops suffering heavy casualties—over 2,500 killed and 5,000 wounded, alongside the capture of 17,000 soldiers. The Russian side also faced substantial losses, with approximately 2,273 troops killed or wounded. The fall of Kars marked a turning point in the conflict, leading to a shift in Turkish foreign relations, as the defeat prompted the Ottoman Empire to seek a reconciliation with Russia. As a result, the Treaty of San Stefano, signed in 1878, confirmed Russian control over Kars, which remained under Russian rule following the Congress of Berlin. This battle thus holds historical significance in the context of Eastern European geopolitics and the shifting power dynamics of the late 19th century.
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Battle of Kars
Type of action: Ground battle in the Russo-Turkish War
Date: November 17-18, 1878
Location: City in northeastern Turkey
Combatants: 70,000 Russians vs. 24,000 Turks
Principal commanders:Russian, General Count Mikhail Tarielovich Loris-Melikov (1825?-1888); Turkish, Hussein Pasha
Result: Successful Russian capture of Kars
Russia’s war with Turkey in 1877–1878 was signified by battles in southeastern Europe and Asia Minor. While much European attention was directed toward the Russian Siege of Plevna in Bulgaria and the eventual march on Constantinople, a second front was established in Asia Minor to put greater pressure on the Ottomans.
Commanding a powerful column that had pushed through the Caucasus Mountains, Mikhail Tarielovich Loris-Melikov stormed Kars on the night of November 17. Savage fighting resulted in the capitulation of the fortresses protecting the eastern side of the city, with Russian forces entering Kars itself. The southern and western forts held out until November 18, when Turkish commander Hussein Pasha attempted to cut his way through enemy lines. Only a few officers, including Hussein Pasha, escaped successfully.
The victory at Kars resulted in 2,273 Russians killed and wounded. Turkish forces, however, were decimated in the attack. More than 2,500 were killed, with 5,000 more wounded. In addition, 17,000 Turkish soldiers were taken prisoner.
Significance
The loss of Kars helped convince Turkey to develop peaceful relations with Russia. Following the Treaty of San Stefano (1878) signed with Turkey, and the subsequent Congress of Berlin, Kars remained in Russian hands.
Bibliography
Furneaux, Rupert. The Breakfast War. New York: Crowell, 1968.
Greene, V. R. Report on the Russian Army and Its Campaigns in Turkey, 1877–1878. 1878. Reprint. Nashville, Tenn.: Battery Press, 1996.