Day of Military Glory of Russia - Day of the capture of the Turkish fortress Izmail by Russian troops

The history of Russia is replete with events worthy of being the subject of national pride for the power and greatness of the state, the courage and heroism of soldiers In a series of such events, the Day of Military Glory of Russia is the Day of the capture of the Turkish fortress of Izmail by Russian troops (December 24) The memorable date was established by federal law (No 32-FZ 03/13/1995) “On the days of military glory and memorable dates of Russia” in 1995 Modern Izmail is a city in the Odessa region, located on the banks of the Danube It is separated from the Black Sea by 8 tens of kilometers It is known that from the 12th century there was a Genoese fortress in this place; from the 16th century it passed to the Turks Turkey constantly threatened the southern outskirts of Russia, hindering the ability to maintain a fleet in the Azov and Black Seas Russia sought to eliminate the danger, strengthen its southern borders, and establish itself on the Black Sea coast The strategically well-located Izmail fortress guaranteed its owners safe access to sea routes The routes from Bender, Kili, Khotin, and Galati converged in this area Here was a convenient springboard for protecting one's borders and invading enemy territory In the 18th century, the fortress alternately belonged to Turkey and Russia By the beginning of the war of 1787 - 1791 it was in the hands of the Turks and was considered completely impregnable The French engineers who led the work to strengthen the fortifications used fortification technologies that were innovative at that time On three sides the fortress walls were surrounded by an eight-meter-high rampart, its length was 6 kilometers A deep ditch twelve meters wide was dug in front of the rampart In some places, the ten-meter depth of the ditch was filled with water, its level reaching 2 meters From the south, Izmail was reliably covered by the river; the waters of the Danube spilled over half a kilometer wide here 260 guns were located on 11 bastions 35 thousand people guarded the fortress; it could withstand a swift assault and a long siege The Turks were sure that there was no force capable of conquering Izmail Russian soldiers freed the proud Turks from this confidence and dispelled the myth of an impregnable stronghold In the fall of 1790, after unsuccessful attempts to take Izmail, the assault on the fortress was entrusted to Suvorov The only commander in the history of wars who did not know a single defeat, Suvorov believed that nothing was impossible for a Russian soldier In a soldier, he brought up a conscientious warrior, a love for Russia, and encouraged people's ingenuity, initiative, and courage To prepare soldiers for battle, Suvorov conducted exercises, creating conditions close to the conditions of a campaign Suvorov devoted six days of December 1790 to preparing for the assault True to his principles, he paid special attention to the training of troops Using mock-ups, soldiers learned to storm impregnable barriers and high walls The assault began on the morning of December 11 (22) after preliminary preparations carried out by Russian artillery By the end of the day, the indestructible Turkish citadel had fallen The conquest of Izmail in 1790 influenced the conclusion of peace in Iasi in 1791, the Black Sea coast from the Southern Bug to the Dniester went to Russia This strengthened its position by opening new sea routes Under Izmail, Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov proved the perfection of Russian military art, his “miracle heroes” once again showed the world that nothing is impossible for a Russian soldier