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The battle was fought near the tiny village of Opsa [pl], near Brasław, Grand Duchy of Lithuania (present-day Belarus), between the Russian corps of Prince Yuri Dolgorukov and the Tatar regiment of the Grand Duchy, commanded by Michał Kirkor [pl]. The battle ended in a Russian victory, as the Lithuanians were forced to retreat and the Russians occupied Brasław.
Preludeedit
Prince Dolgorukov's corps (9000 soldiers) crossed the Daugava River on 22 May, with the majority of the troops and tabor crossing at Dyneburg, while the rest of the troops under the command of General Johann von Rautenfeld crossed the river at Krasław. Both columns of the Russian corps then moved on Brasław.
Soon after crossing to the other bank of the Daugava, Rautenfeld sent his Don Cossacks to scout the town of Druja. Cossack intelligence indicated that a Lithuanian Tatarbanner under the command of Rotmistrz Rejżewski was stationed in the town. Upon their return, the Cossacks smashed a detachment sent by Kirkor's regiment, and captured two Lithuanian Tatar uhlans. Rautenfeld immediately sent a detachment of 160 soldiers. However, when Rejżewski learned of the advancing Russians, he withdrew to Głębokie. Rautenfeld gave up the pursuit and continued to march on Brasław, which he occupied on 26 May.
According to Zabiełło, when Rautenfeld took Brasław, the bulk of Dolgorukov's corps marched on Opsa. The vanguard was made up of 100 Cossacks led by Captain Belogorodtsev. Belogorodtsev sent a seven-man scout detachment, who stumbled on a similar reconnaissance troop from Kirkor's Tatar regiment. This led to fighting in the vicinity of Opsa, during which Kirkor's regiment fought against a Cossack force of a few hundred men led by Colonel Kireyev. After a few hours of fighting, the Lithuanian regiment was forced to retreat. Rotmistrz Miłłaszewicz was captured, and Lieutenant Achmatowicz was severely wounded. Zabiełło believed that a few dozen Russian soldiers were killed.
Sułkowski writes that Kirkor's regiment watched the movements of the Russian troops. Rautenfeld encircled Opsa on the night of 25 May, with the aim of neutralising the Lithuanian Tatar force. Kirkor wanted to avoid being captured by the Russians, so he threw his regiment into a desperate attack, which allowed him to break out of the encirclement and retreat. During the fighting, the Lithuanians lost 300 troops, and the Russians lost between fifty and 300 men.
Sourcesedit
Borawski, Piotr (1986). Tatarzy w dawnej Rzeczypospolitej [Tatars in the former Republic]. Warsaw: Ludowa Spółdzielnia Wydawnicza. pp. 224–225. ISBN83-205-3747-9.
April 18, 2024
battle, opsa, this, article, relies, largely, entirely, single, source, relevant, discussion, found, talk, page, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, citations, additional, sources, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, march, 2. This article relies largely or entirely on a single source Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources Find sources Battle of Opsa news newspapers books scholar JSTOR March 2017 This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations July 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message Battle of OpsaPart of the Polish Russian War of 1792Map of the Polish Russian War of 1792Date25 26 May 1792LocationOpsa Grand Duchy of Lithuania now Belarus ResultRussian victoryBelligerentsPoland Lithuania Russian EmpireCommanders and leadersMichal Kirkor pl Yuri DolgorukovStrength1 RegimentSeveral hundred menCasualties and losses30050 300 The Battle of Opsa took place on 26 May 1792 during the Polish Russian War of 1792 The battle was fought near the tiny village of Opsa pl near Braslaw Grand Duchy of Lithuania present day Belarus between the Russian corps of Prince Yuri Dolgorukov and the Tatar regiment of the Grand Duchy commanded by Michal Kirkor pl The battle ended in a Russian victory as the Lithuanians were forced to retreat and the Russians occupied Braslaw Prelude editPrince Dolgorukov s corps 9000 soldiers crossed the Daugava River on 22 May with the majority of the troops and tabor crossing at Dyneburg while the rest of the troops under the command of General Johann von Rautenfeld crossed the river at Kraslaw Both columns of the Russian corps then moved on Braslaw Soon after crossing to the other bank of the Daugava Rautenfeld sent his Don Cossacks to scout the town of Druja Cossack intelligence indicated that a Lithuanian Tatar banner under the command of Rotmistrz Rejzewski was stationed in the town Upon their return the Cossacks smashed a detachment sent by Kirkor s regiment and captured two Lithuanian Tatar uhlans Rautenfeld immediately sent a detachment of 160 soldiers However when Rejzewski learned of the advancing Russians he withdrew to Glebokie Rautenfeld gave up the pursuit and continued to march on Braslaw which he occupied on 26 May The battle editThere are two known accounts describing the battle of Opsa one by Szymon Zabiello and the other by Jozef Sulkowski According to Zabiello when Rautenfeld took Braslaw the bulk of Dolgorukov s corps marched on Opsa The vanguard was made up of 100 Cossacks led by Captain Belogorodtsev Belogorodtsev sent a seven man scout detachment who stumbled on a similar reconnaissance troop from Kirkor s Tatar regiment This led to fighting in the vicinity of Opsa during which Kirkor s regiment fought against a Cossack force of a few hundred men led by Colonel Kireyev After a few hours of fighting the Lithuanian regiment was forced to retreat Rotmistrz Millaszewicz was captured and Lieutenant Achmatowicz was severely wounded Zabiello believed that a few dozen Russian soldiers were killed Sulkowski writes that Kirkor s regiment watched the movements of the Russian troops Rautenfeld encircled Opsa on the night of 25 May with the aim of neutralising the Lithuanian Tatar force Kirkor wanted to avoid being captured by the Russians so he threw his regiment into a desperate attack which allowed him to break out of the encirclement and retreat During the fighting the Lithuanians lost 300 troops and the Russians lost between fifty and 300 men Sources editBorawski Piotr 1986 Tatarzy w dawnej Rzeczypospolitej Tatars in the former Republic Warsaw Ludowa Spoldzielnia Wydawnicza pp 224 225 ISBN 83 205 3747 9 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Battle of Opsa amp oldid 1097692420, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
