The capture of the Izmail fortress was in 1790. The third year of the second Russian-Turkish war, initiated by Turkey, was drawing to a close. The Russian army advanced and won confident victories. However, Turkey was not going to give up. She had a fairly strong army and many fortresses along the banks of the Danube, the most significant of which was Ishmael. Due to its proximity to the Russian territories, the Turkish command had the opportunity to send its troops and ships from this fortress. Therefore, having lost Ochakov, the Turks began to intensively strengthen Ishmael. Without taking this fortress, Russia could not triumphantly end the war.
Capturing the fortress of Izmail
But the Russian troops were lucky to lay siege to Izmail only in the fall of 1790. This became possible thanks to the Black Sea Fleet, which at that time was commanded by F. F. Ushakov. His ships managed to cut off Ishmael from the Danube, and Russian troops surrounded the fortress from land. Winter was approaching and it was necessary to act very quickly. Prince G. A. Potemkin, commander-in-chief of the Russian army, entrusted the operation to capture Ishmael to General A. V. Suvorov, who was famous for his decisiveness and ability to control troops. The 30,000-strong Russian army began to prepare for the siege of the fortress, in which there were about 35,000 Turkish soldiers.
The answer of the Turkish commandant to Suvorov's proposal to surrender without a fight was short and clear: "The sky will sooner fall to the ground, and the Danube will flow backwards than Ishmael will surrender." The day of taking the ishmael was determined. They began to attack the enemy early in the morning on December 22. The assault began simultaneously from land and from the river. Under direct enemy fire, Russian soldiers of the advanced army conquered the rampart and all the gates in it, which made it possible for the main forces to enter the city. The capture of the fortress Izmail by Suvorov lasted 6 hours and ended with the victory of the Russians.
About 2 thousand Russian soldiers were killed in the battle. The year of the capture of Ishmael reminded all of Europe of the power of the Russian Empire. Despite the fact that the war was ended only next year, the capture of the Turkish fortress of Izmail was highly appreciated by Catherine II: a medal was issued in honor of the commander Suvorov, and commemorative medals were presented to all participants.