Russo-Turkish War begins: Russia declares war on the Ottoman Empire

Background. Rebellions against Ottoman rule began in Herzegovina in July 1875 and in Bulgaria in April 1876. Following the failure of the Constantinople Conference, Emperor Alexander II prepared for war by securing neutrality from other Great Powers. These diplomatic efforts culminated in the formal declaration of war in April 1877, marking the start of the conflict.

Declaration of War. Russia declared war on the Ottoman Empire in April 1877, with supplied sources dating the declaration differently: the Alexander II article states 17 April 1877, while the Russo-Turkish War and Abdul Hamid II articles state 24 April 1877. The declaration fulfilled Sultan Abdul Hamid II's fears of dissolution. Russian troops entered Romania through the Eiffel Bridge near Ungheni, leading to Turkish bombardments of Romanian towns on the Danube.

Consequences. The war resulted in the independence of Bulgaria, Montenegro, Romania, and Serbia from the Ottoman Empire. The conflict ended with the Treaty of San Stefano in 1878, followed by the Congress of Berlin. These events secured the emergence of an independent Bulgarian state and reshaped the political landscape of the Balkans.