Siege of Anapa (1828)

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The Siege of Anapa (1828) was a key battle in the Russo-Circassian War and the Russo-Turkish War. It took place from May 14 to June 24, 1828, at the Anapa fortress on the northeastern Black Sea coast. The Russians won and Anapa fell to their forces.

Forces and leaders
- Russia: about 8,000 troops and 29 ships with 1,679 cannons. Commanders included Admiral Aleksey Greig at sea and Colonel Provski on land, with later additions of roughly 4,000 troops under Prince Aleksandr Menshikov.
- Ottoman Empire: about 4,500 troops defending the fortress, aided by Circassian volunteers led by Seferbiy Zaneqo and Hanash Tsakaqo (Circassian leaders).
- The aim was to neutralize Anapa as a base for Ottoman control and for Circassian resistance.

The siege
- The Russian Black Sea Fleet blockaded Anapa, cutting off Ottoman reinforcements by sea. A storm forced the fleet to pull back briefly, leaving land forces to press the attack.
- After the storm subsided, Menshikov landed more troops to help surround the fortress. The Russians bombarded the defenses with heavy artillery while Circassian fighters harassed them from the rear.
- By late June, the defenders were weakened, with about 1,500 still able to fight. Osman Pasha, the Ottoman commander, was offered surrender but refused at first. The discovery of a captured reinforcement ship made the situation seem hopeless.
- On June 24, 1828, Anapa fell to the Russians. Most defenders were killed or captured, and Osman Pasha was taken prisoner.

Aftermath
- The Russians moved south along the Black Sea coast, capturing Poti on July 23 despite strong resistance by Arslan Bey and his 300 fighters.
- Russian operations continued, including crossing the Arpachay River on June 26 as part of the broader campaign in the Caucasus.
- The fall of Anapa weakened Ottoman influence and disrupted Circassian resistance, marking a turning point in the war. Anapa remained in Russian hands under the terms of the Treaty of Adrianople in 1829, which ended the war and solidified Russian control in the region.