In the sumptuous halls of the Winter Palace, Tsarina Catherine II sat in a grand council chamber with her most trusted advisors. The room was hushed, lit by the soft glow of countless candles and the occasional glimmer of sunlight through towering arched windows. Ministers and generals debated strategies in hushed tones when suddenly, a breathless courier burst into the room.
"Your Majesty," he gasped, bowing deeply, "urgent news from the northern front—Taganrog has been attacked!"
A ripple of shock passed through the assembled officials. General Pyotr Rumyantsev, his face etched with both fury and disbelief, leaned forward. "Taganrog? That vital naval port—has it truly fallen into Ottoman hands?" he demanded.
The courier unrolled a scroll, his hands trembling as he recounted the events. Rumyantsev's eyes flicked over the report, and his jaw tightened with every word: that an Ottoman naval detachment had struck under cover of darkness, reducing the port to smoldering ruins—its shipyards destroyed, supply depots set aflame, and enemy vessels either captured or annihilated.
Tsarina Catherine's gaze, cold and calculating, fixed on the document. "This is an unprecedented blow," she murmured. "The Ottomans have struck deep into our sphere of influence with audacity beyond measure."
General Rumyantsev slammed his fist on the table. "We must retaliate immediately! This isn't merely an attack on a port—it is a direct challenge to our control over the Black Sea. If we do not act, our southern flank will crumble under the weight of Russian ambitions."
A tense murmur rippled through the council. Catherine rose slowly, her regal composure masking the storm of thoughts behind her ice-blue eyes. "Calm yourselves. While we must respond decisively, we cannot afford hasty measures that might further destabilize our position. Prepare our fleets for a counter-assault; every available ship must be readied to intercept these Ottoman raiders. Dispatch reinforcements to secure our remaining supply lines immediately."
One of the advisors added, "Your Majesty, most of our fleets are docked there and has been decimated. 60% of our navy are there, while the rest are used on the black sea."
Catherine's expression hardened. "Then let us ensure that our response is swift and relentless. I will send orders to our commanders along the coast. We will not allow these brazen actions to go unanswered. Let it be known that any port of Russia is sacred, and any transgression against it will be met with the full force of our might."
As the meeting drew to a close, the atmosphere in the chamber was thick with determination and the promise of retribution. "How's our army's movement?"
General Pyotr answered. "Our men, are now advancing to Moldavia, Ottoman vassal, in 5 days, they will arrive and start annexing the country. While we still didn't start moving at the Caucasus thanks to Ottoman's counter offensive plans.l"
Tsarina sat back, pondering the map where Russian soldiers and their ships were located.
For Catherine, the destruction of Taganrog was more than just a tactical setback for the Ottomans—it was a swift, precisely coordinated strike. The raid was executed with such accuracy that it seemed the attackers had already pinpointed our supply locations. Rather than burning the entire city, the operation targeted only the vital assets: the ships, gunpowder stores, officer quarters, and other key installations. It was as if a new genius had emerged within the Ottoman ranks, one whose daring and insight were unprecedented. But who could be behind such audacity?
General Rumyantsev and Admiral Grigory Spiridov were ordered to fortify critical positions along the coast. "Double the patrols at Azov," Rumyantsev instructed. "We must intercept any Ottoman attempts to capitalize on this setback." Meanwhile, the Tsarina's envoys were dispatched to the border regions, and orders were sent to reassign additional ships to the Black Sea fleet. Catherine herself penned a stern directive to her commanders, emphasizing that while retribution was necessary, measured force would ensure long-term stability.
Back on land, in the heart of Russian strategy, Catherine convened a private meeting with her senior advisors. "We have been taken aback by this audacity," she said quietly. "Our spies in Istanbul report that the operation was authorized by a young noble whose boldness is both impressive and dangerous. We must uncover how they planned such an assault and ensure that no further surprises are allowed."
Her advisors nodded gravely, their expressions a mix of resolve and apprehension. It was clear that while the loss of Taganrog was a significant blow, it also offered an opportunity to disrupt the Ottoman war machine further. The Tsarina ordered an immediate review of naval intelligence and the acceleration of shipbuilding programs at Azov. The message was unmistakable: Russia would not let this setback go unanswered.
As the Russian fleet prepared to regroup, a chill settled over the Winter Palace. The news of Taganrog had not only rattled the Russian command but had also kindled a fierce resolve within the Tsarina. In her eyes, the boldness of the Ottoman raid was both a provocation and a promise—a promise that if Russia did not strike back decisively, the scales of power would tip irrevocably in favor of the enemy.
Deep in her heart, She knew that the Ottomans were not known for such audacity. Traditionally, their naval engagements were cautious affairs—defensive maneuvers and measured responses, never a reckless, direct assault aimed at the enemy's very heart. Yet here it was: a meticulously orchestrated raid on Taganrog, a precision strike that had decimated a crucial Russian port. One thing she knew, Taganrog had burnt, the Ottoman is now an enemy but not the same anymore. She has to formulate a new strategy.