Saint Petersburg
The sudden declaration of war from the Kingdom of Sardinia made the Tsarist government explode with rage. Britain, France, and the Ottoman Empire were one thing—they were all world powers. But what did the Kingdom of Sardinia count for?
Did they really think Russia had declined so far that any stray cat or dog could come stirring up trouble? Anger aside, the distance was too great, and Russia could do nothing to the Kingdom of Sardinia.
Nicholas I snorted coldly. "Hmph!"
"Order the troops at the front to give the Sardinians a proper welcome. Let them know that the Russian Empire is not to be insulted!"
"Yes, Your Majesty," the Minister of War hurriedly replied.
No one could have imagined that Nicholas I's order, issued in anger, would become the key to breaking the deadlock for the Russian army in the future and winning them a great victory.
On July 18, 1852, the Russian army launched an offensive in the Caucasus, driving the Ottoman troops back step by step. Restricted by the terrain, the Russians won many battles, but their advance along the front remained exceedingly slow.
The Ottoman Empire had capable men as well. Knowing that the advantageous terrain of the Caucasus could not be abandoned, they massed large numbers of troops there. Whenever the frontline units were routed, fresh troops were immediately sent in to fill the gap.
The two sides fought savagely, contesting every inch of ground. After paying a grievous price, the Russian army was forced to halt its offensive by August.
The casualties were too severe. In just over half a month of fighting, the number of dead and wounded exceeded seventy thousand—an average of more than five thousand casualties a day—yet victory was still nowhere in sight. Even the Russians could not