Dragoș ILINCA, Ph.D*
Abstract: The Russo-Turkish war of 1877-1878 ignited out of considerable tensions amassed in the second half of XIX century between Russia and Ottoman Empire over extending control in the Balkan Peninsula. For the people from this area, the new conflict was merely an opportunity to promote their independence and sovereignty aspirations. Romania’s involvement in this war was focused on achieving national independence. The way in which this strategic option was implemented by supporting transit of the Russian and landing on the other side of Danube. But most important contribution was employed by Romanian army in the battles and fights that occurred in different locations in the south of Danube area, such was the case in Plevnen, Grivița and Smârdan. In the framework of Romanian army operations, securing the control on Danube was one of the strategic priorities involving a significant degree of complexity in developing infrastructure works for several crossings of substantial contingents. These aspects were highly relevant especially in the most intense phases of war, being one of the most visible aspects in the newspaper’s correspondence of that time.
Keywords: Russo-Turkish War, War of Crimeea, San Stefano Treaty, Berlin Treaty, Charles I, Skobelev, Cernat, Danube, Alexander II.
DOI 10.56082/annalsarscimilit.2025.3.91
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* Ministry of External Affairs, email: dilinca@yahoo.com
PUBLISHED in Annals Academy of Romanian Scientists Series on Military Sciences, Volume 17 no 3, 2025
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