Russo-Turkish war (1877–1878) was a conflict between the Russian Empire together with its Balkan allies on the one hand, and the Ottoman Empire on the other. As a result of the war, the Balkan nations were liberated from the Ottoman domination, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro became independent, and Bulgaria received broad powers of autonomy.
The Russo-Turkish War 1877–1878 brought glory to outstanding heroes of the military and diplomatic events of the time.
Nikolai Grigoryevich Stoletov (1831–1912) was a Russian commander, who embodied the military friendship of Russians and Bulgarians. He oversaw training and combat operations of the Bulgarian militias during the Russo-Turkish War 1877–1878. Stoletov commanded the heroic defense of the Shipka Pass, which had a strategic impact on the campaign.
Count Iosif Vladimirovich Gurko (1828–1901) was a Russian general, one of the liberators of Bulgaria. He headed the advance detachment with the aim to capture the Balkan passes. He freed a major part of the country including Tarnovo, Kazanlak, Stara Zagora and Kalofer. In December 1877, he did a difficult crossing of the Balkan Mountains, and occupied Sofia in January 1878, which predetermined the outcome of the war.
Eduard Ivanovich Totleben (1818–1884) was a Russian general and a famous military engineer. He assumed command of siege works of Plevna in 1877, and made a major contribution to the subsequent capture of the city, which became one of the decisive battles of the Russo-Turkish War 1877–1878.
The postage stamps depict Nikolai Stoletov, Iosif Gurko and Eduard Totleben, the illustrated margins of the souvenir sheet feature a map of Plevna surroundings.
In addition to the postage stamps, JSC Marka has produced an FDC and first-day postmark for Moscow as well as a souvenir set in an illustrated cover with a souvenir sheet and FDC with cancellation for Moscow inside.
Design: S. Ulyanovsky.
Face value: 60 RUR each stamp.
Size of sheet: 165×100 mm, size of stamps in the sheet: 37×50 mm.
Circulation: 50 thousand.
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