On January 4, 1878, Russian troops liberated Bulgaria’s capital Sofia from the Ottomans, Russian Foreign Ministry reports.
During the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, the Russian Army, which won the battle near Plevna in late November 1877, set the course for liberating Bulgaria, which was under occupation by the Ottoman Empire. In the winter of 1877-1878, Russian troops, led by General Iosif Gurko, completed an unprecedented eight-day march across the snow-covered Balkan Mountains.
Along the way, Russian soldiers encountered the Ottomans’ covering forces. On December 31, the Russian troops defeated the Turks near Tashkessen, and on January 1 near the village of Gorni Bogrov, they repelled a counterattack despite being significantly outnumbered by the enemy. Russian soldiers crossed the Balkans.
On January 2, General Gurko’s detachment continued advancing towards the heavily fortified city of Sofia. After a reconnaissance mission on January 3, the detachment took the city on January 4 without a fight; the Ottoman army had deserted the city the night before.
Residents of the Bulgarian capital greeted the Russians with excitement. In an order to his troops, Iosif Gurko said:
“By taking Sofia, we have completed this brilliant period in the campaign. As we were crossing the Balkans, I was in awe of both your courage and your bravery in facing the enemy, and the endurance and patience you demonstrated during the difficult ordeal of tackling the mountains, the cold and the deep snow. Years later, your descendants will visit these wild mountains and say with pride and triumph, "This is where Russian troops passed and revived the glory of Suvorov’s and Rumyantsev’s legendary heroes."
The liberation of Sofia paved the way to Constantinople for the Russian Army and brought the signing of the Treaty of San Stefano closer, a peace settlement which was a victory for Russia.