Battle of Sich (1680)

Battle of Sich
Part of the Russo-Turkish War (1676–1681) and Ottoman-Cossack Conflict
Date c. June 1680 Location Zaporozhian Sich Result Cossack victory
Belligerents
Zaporozhian Cossacks	Ottoman Empire Crimean Khanate
Commanders and leaders
Ivan Sirko	Kara-Muhammad
Strength
Unknown	25,000[1] Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

The Battle of Sich or Stand on the Sich took place between the Ottoman-Crimean army led by Pasha Kara-Muhammad and the Zaporozhian Cossacks led by Ivan Sirko, on the Lobodukha tract between islands, outside of Sich, in c. June 1680.

Prelude

In 1678, information about the planned Ottoman campaigns on Kyiv and Left-Bank Ukraine in the upcoming year became known to Tsardom of Russia and Samoylovych's Cossack Hetmanate.[2][3] Ottomans made no attempts to capture Zaporozhian Sich in 1679.[4] However, Sultan Mehmed IV planned a campaign against Sich for 1680, gathering an Ottoman army of 25,000 led by Pasha Kara-Muhammad for this purpose.[1][5]

Battle

Sultan Mehmed IV sent the 25,000-strong Ottoman army led by Pasha Kara-Muhammad with the goal of destroying Sich. This news reached Ivan Sirko, but he didn't want to risk the destruction of Sich and chose to position with Cossacks on Lobodukha tract outside of Sich. Ivan Sirko organized his defense on the Lobodukha tract between islands, preparing for battle with the Ottoman army.[5][1]

Pasha Kara-Muhammad reportedly received the news about an incoming Russian army led by Yakov Koretsky, coming to the aid of Ivan Sirko and his Cossacks. Pasha Kara-Muhammad chose to retreat with his army.[5]

Aftermath

After Ivan Sirko's defense of the Sich and subsequent retreat of the Ottoman-Crimean army, Sirko launched his last campaign into Crimea together with Don Cossacks, during which Sirko "lowered his victorious mace for the last time in the battle with the Horde".[6][1] Returning from campaign, he fell ill and retired to the village of Hrushivka.[1] Russians and Cossacks repelled the Ottoman-Crimean attacks that took place in 1679–1680, and on 3 January 1681, signed Treaty of Bakhchisarai, concluding the Russo-Turkish War.[7]

References

1. "Екскурс – заочна подорож « СТОРІНКАМИ КОЗАЦЬКОЇ ДОБИ»". naurok.com.ua. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
2. On the Eve of the Signing of the Treaty of Bakhchisarai: Russian-Ottoman Military Confrontation in Ukraine in 1679 and 1680 (In Russian) [1], p. 53.
3. On the Eve of the Signing of the Treaty of Bakhchisarai: Russian-Ottoman Military Confrontation in Ukraine in 1679 and 1680 (In Russian) [2], p. 54.
4. On the Eve of the Signing of the Treaty of Bakhchisarai: Russian-Ottoman Military Confrontation in Ukraine in 1679 and 1680 (In Russian) [3], p. 57.
5. Sobchenko Ivan Sergeevich (2020). Kosh Otaman of Zaporozhian Sich I.D. Sirko (In Russian). Moscow: Ваш формат. p. 246.
6. "Людина-легенда Іван Сірко". ukr.cool. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
7. Paxton, John; Traynor, John (2004). Leaders of Russia and the Soviet Union. Taylor & Francis Books Inc. p. 195.