Siege of Ochakov (1789)
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The Second Siege of Ochakov (now in Ukraine) was one of the major events of Russo-Turkish War (1787–1792).
Russian forces led by Prince Grigori Potemkin and general Alexander Suvorov besieged the city, controlled by Ottoman army under command of Hassan pasha, in 1788. Despite Suvorov's urging to storm the city immediately, Potemkin kept the Russian forces encircling Ochakov, bombarding the city with cannons and cutting of the food and ammo supply. Keeping his soldiers out off the direct battle, Potemkin was trying to minimalize their casualties, but his generals were blaming him of cowardice. The argument about storming continued in the Russian headquarters during the whole siege.
The Turks made several attempts to break the siege. On July 27 about 5000 janissaries attacked positions of the Russian Cossak squad and forced it to retreat. Suvorov personally led reinforcements and chased janissaries to the Ochakov gates, but was injured.
Hassan-pasha expected reinforcements from the Turkish fleet, gathering in Limans, but after admiral Senyavin's fleet attack the reinforcements were cut off.
The condition of both armies continued to decline, there was a threat of epidemic, and the weather was growing very cold. Potemkin ultimately gave in to Suvorov's arguments. On the night of December 6 the Russians struck and captured Hassan-pasha's palace, forcing its guards to surrender. About 4000 Turks were taken prisoners, including Hassan Pasha himself, but most of the city garrison was massacred in the street fight.
The Russian victory was glorified in a famous ode by Gavriil Derzhavin.