"Ottoman defense system on Dnepr & Don rivers, 1680-90s " Topic

"Ottoman strategy on the "Russian front" in 1680-90s was focused on the protection of their lands & trade in Black Sea region. The key point of this strategy was a control over Don & Dnepr rivers to prevent Cossacks raids on strugy (sea-going large boats).First line of the Dnepr defense was at Tawan island. Turks had 4 strongholds there [see 1]. The large fortress Kazi-Kermen was on the left bank of Dnepr. Two forts Mubeurek-Kermen & Islam-Kermen were on the right bank, Musrit-Kermen was on Tawan island. Their garrisons totaled about 3.000 men with 60-80 cannons, all them were yerli-kulu (maintained by local authorities). The mouth of Dnepr was controlled by Ozu (Ochakov) fortress with a garrison around 1.000 of kapi-kulu yenicheri & topchu. The strongholds near Tawan were captured in 1695 by a combined Russian-Malorusussian army, but were destructed & returned after a Treaty of 1700. On Don river Turks had Azak (Azov) fortress & 3 smaller forts [see 2]. Their garrisons were 3.656 men, incl. 2.272 kapi-kulu yenicheri & 242 yerli-kulu topchu, the rest were azaps. Azak had 96 cannons. Additionally there were about 5.000 Nogai tribemen, whom served Sultan, not the Khan of Crimea. The strongholds were captured by Russians in 1696. After the Treaty of 1700 Azov & the mouth of Don stayed in Russian hands. It made Turks to create a new defense line in Kerch Strait. In 1703 they built a new fortress at Kerch called Eni-Kale & a battery on the other side of the strait [see 3]. These fortifications were weak to stop a Russian fleet, but were enough to prevent Cossacks raids."

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Amicalement
Armand

Very useful. Thanks for sharing this.

Cheers,

My pleasure my friend!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand