Russian Foreign Ministry - МИД России
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193 years ago, the combined squadron of Russia, Great Britain and France fought a naval battle against the Turkish-Egyptian fleet in the Bay of Navarino, an almost landlocked bay of the Ionian Sea. The victory that the Russians, British and French won that day became one of the most important prerequisites for Greece's independence.
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After the Ottoman Empire refused to grant autonomy to Greece, the combined squadron of Russia, England and France under the command of British Vice Admiral Edward Codrington approached the Navarino Bay, where the Turkish-Egyptian fleet was anchored. The Russian squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Login van der Heyden, which was part of the allied squadron, was comprised of four battleships and four frigates with 466 guns.
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On the morning of October 8 (20), 1827, the allied squadrons began to enter the Navarino Bay and take up position according to the dispositions. As soon as the British ships began to lower their anchors, the Turks opened fire killing the British envoy officer who was heading for negotiations with the Ottoman fleet commander-in-chief. At the same time, the first cannon shot was fired from an Egyptian corvette at the French flagship Sirene, and the fortress batteries opened crossfire at the Russian squadron flagship, the Azov.
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Fierce fighting at close engagement went on for four hours. The allied squadrons acted in complete unison and mutual support. The Turkish-Egyptian fleet was completely destroyed. Importantly, the Russian squadron took the main blow of the enemy and destroyed most of its ships, defeating the entire central and right flank of the enemy formation. The Turkish-Egyptian fleet’s losses in the battle exceeded 60 ships and vessels and more than 7,000 people. The allies did not lose a single ship.
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The Russian flagship Azov under the command of Captain 1st Rank Mikhail Lazarev made a special mark in that battle. The Azov sank two frigates and a corvette, burned a 60-gun frigate, forced an 80-gun ship to run aground, and then, supported by the British, destroyed the Turkish flagship.
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La Russia celebra la battaglia di Navarino, con l'attenzione rivolta ad Erdogan.
www.tcmb.gov.tr
