Siege of Izmail

Storming of Izmail
Part of Russo-Turkish War (1787–1792)

The capture of Izmail by Russian troops under the command of General-in-Chief A. V. Suvorov on 11 December 1791, Mikhail Ivanov
Date11 December 1790 (O.S.)
22 December 1790 (N.S.)
Location
Result
Belligerents

Ottoman Empire

Commanders and leaders

José de Ribas
Aydoslu Mehmed Pasha (POW)
Qaplan Geray 
Units involved
Southern Army
Black Sea Rowing Flotilla
Strength
28,000–32,000

500 to 600 guns
40,000–42,000
  • c. 15,000 regulars
  • c. 20,000 militia
  • c. 7,000 armed citizenry of Izmail

265 guns
Casualties and losses
4,582 to 10,000 killed & wounded

Total: 40,000 casualties

  • 23,000 to 26,000+ killed
  • 5,000 wounded
  • 9,000 captured
all artillery pieces
up to 400 standards

The siege of Izmail or Ismail / Ishmael / İzmail (Turkish: İzmail Kuşatması), also called the storming of Izmail (Russian: Штурм Измаила), was a military action fought in 1790 on the Black Sea during the Russo-Turkish War (1787–1792) and simultaneously the Austro-Turkish War (1788–1791). The Russians were led by Alexander Suvorov, who had defeated the Ottomans at Kinburn, Focsani, and Rymnik, as well as participating in the siege of Ochakov. The Black Sea rowing flotilla was commanded by the Spanish admiral José de Ribas (Iosif Deribas). It is regarded as one of Suvorov's finest victories and one of the greatest deeds in world military history.

The fortress was considered to be impregnable and was referred to as "a fortress without weak points", and was commanded by one of the best and most experienced Ottoman generals, Aydoslu Mehmed Pasha.