Battle of Sunzha River

The Battle of the Sunzha River took place between October 28 and 30, 1583, near the Sunzha River in the North Caucasus. The battle opposed a 4,000-strong Ottoman column led by Özdemiroğlu Osman Pasha to a smaller force of Chechens and Don Cossacks, commanded by Shikh-Murza Okotsky.

Battle of the Sunzha River
Part of Ottoman campaign in the North Caucasus
DateOctober 28–30, 1583
Location
Sunzha River, North Caucasus
Result
  • Tactical Ottoman victory
  • Strategic Chechen–Cossack success
Belligerents
 Ottoman Empire Don Cossacks
Chechens
Commanders and leaders
Özdemiroğlu Osman Pasha Shikh-Murza Okotsky
Strength
~4,000 (Ottoman veterans) ~1,000 (Cossacks and Chechens)
Casualties and losses
Heavy Most of initial force killed; ~200 escaped

As the Ottomans marched from Derbent toward Azov, they were ambushed during a river crossing. Although they managed to repel the initial assault and destroy a fortified Cossack camp, the Ottoman troops were subjected to three days of continued attacks and scorched-earth tactics, which significantly disrupted their advance and inflicted considerable losses.

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