In the early summer of 1675 the Ottoman forces of Ibrahim Şişman (Abraham the Fat) crossed the Polish border into Podolia and started its rapid march towards Lwów along the banks of the Dniester.

[1]: 653  The army numbered some 20,000 men and was composed of Ottoman infantry and cavalry with significant Crimean Tatar detachments.

The Polish king John III Sobieski decided to concentrate his troops in and around Lwów[1]: 653  and face the assaulting Muslim army after more reinforcements arrived.

At the same time, Sobieski ordered all troops guarding other approaches towards the city to join the main forces located along the road.

[citation needed] The 1700-strong group of Polish hussars was joined by three banners (300 men) of Lithuanian light cavalry under hetman Michał Kazimierz Radziwiłł.