Siege of Ochakov (1771)

For other uses, see Siege of Ochakov (disambiguation).

The siege of Ochakov or the siege of Özi was a military siege undertaken by Russia between July and 2 August 1771 against the city of Özi, which was under Ottoman rule. The siege was part of the Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774), and resulted in an Ottoman victory.

Siege of Ochakov (1771)
Part of the Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774)
Map of the town and fortress of Özi, c. 1737
Date late July – 2 August 1771 Location Özi, Ottoman Empire (modern-day Ukraine) 46°37′7″N 31°32′21″E Result Ottoman victory
Belligerents
Ottoman Empire	Russian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Ali Pasha	Vasily Dolgorukov
Strength
1,000–2,000	3,000–4,000
Casualties and losses
Low	500–1,000 killed and injured
class=notpageimage| Location within Europe Siege of Ochakov (1771) (Ukraine)

Siege

After occupying much of the Crimean Khanate during the Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774), the Russians marched onto the Ottoman fortresses of Özi and Kılburun (Kinburn). A force under the command of Vasily Dolgorukov laid siege on Özi in late July. The defending Ottoman army was headed by Hazinedar Şahin Ali Pasha. The pasha employed a strategy of drawing the besieging forces close to the fortress walls by feigning retreat. With the Russians haven fallen for this, the defenders launched an intense barrage of artillery onto the invaders. The Ottoman garrison inflicted substantial losses on the Russian forces following this attack. Thus, the Russians were compelled to lift the siege on 2 August 1771, only a few days after having besieged the fortress. Abdullah Pasha, the defender of Kılburun, similarly repelled the advances of the Russians on 31 August 1771.

Aftermath

Grand Vizier Silahdar Cihangirli Mehmed Pasha, who was in Varna at the time, awarded 10,000 ducats to Hazinedar Şahin Ali Pasha for his role in defending Özi, and gave 350 bags of aspers for the reinforcement of the fortress. He also awarded Abdullah Pasha with 3,000 ducats for standing his ground at Kılburun.