Battle of Silistra

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Battle of Silistra
Part of Sviatoslav's invasion of Bulgaria
Date spring 968 Location near Silistra, Bulgaria or Romania Result Rus victory
Belligerents
Bulgaria	Kievan Rus
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Sviatoslav Igorevich
Strength
30,000	60,000
Casualties and losses
Heavy	Heavy

The Battle of Silistra occurred in the spring of 968 near the Bulgarian town of Silistra, but most probably on the modern territory of Romania. It was fought between the armies of Bulgaria and Kievan Rus' and resulted in a Rus' victory. Upon the news of the defeat, the Bulgarian emperor Peter I abdicated. The invasion of the Rus' prince Sviatoslav was a heavy blow for the Bulgarian Empire, which by 971 lost its eastern provinces to the Byzantine Empire.

Origins of the conflict

From the 940s the

to attack Bulgaria in answer of the alliance between the Bulgarian emperor Peter I and the Magyars.

The battle

, who were only 30,000 strong, near Silistra. The battle continued the whole day and until dark the Bulgarians seemed to have overwhelmed the Kievans, but, elated by Sviatoslav's personal example, the latter were victorious due to their still larger army. The Bulgarians retreated to the Silistra fortress and withstood the following siege.

Aftermath

The

to besiege his capital.

Sources

• Атанас Пейчев и колектив, 1300 години на стража, Военно издателство, София 1984.
• Йордан Андреев, Милчо Лалков, Българските ханове и царе, Велико Търново, 1996.
• Божидар Димитров, Българите-първите европейци, София, 2002.