Siege of Kizlyar (August 1785)

The Siege of Kizlyar occurred in August 1785 during the Caucasian War, as part of Sheikh Mansur's rebellion against Russian expansion in the North Caucasus. Kizlyar, a strategically important Russian fortress and trading post situated on the Terek River, was targeted by a large force of Chechen and Dagestani rebels led by Sheikh Mansur.

Mansur aimed to capture Kizlyar to disrupt Russian control over the region, inspire further uprisings, and secure vital supplies and resources for his movement. The siege involved attempts to breach the city's defenses through assaults and possibly, though less likely, attempts to starve out the garrison.

The Russian garrison, though outnumbered, successfully defended Kizlyar. Factors contributing to their success included the strength of the fortress's fortifications, the experience and discipline of the Russian troops, and possibly disunity or logistical challenges within Mansur's rebel forces.

The failure to capture Kizlyar was a significant setback for Sheikh Mansur's rebellion. It demonstrated the limits of his ability to directly challenge Russian power in fortified positions and allowed the Russian Empire to maintain its foothold in the region. Following the siege, the Russian military launched counter-offensives, gradually suppressing the rebellion over the following years.