In the spring of 1811, Tsar Alexander became concerned that war with Napoleon would be renewed and prepared for a conflict by moving five of the nine Russian infantry divisions in Wallachia to northern Europe.

[1][3][4] When Kutuzov reached Bucharest and took charge of Russia's armed forces in April, he immediately moved the bulk of his troops out of the Ottoman fortresses along the Danube and retreated back across the river into Wallachia.

The only offensive maneuver during this time was a failed attempt by an independent Turkish detachment of 20,000 men commanded by Ismail Bey to cross the Danube and flank the Russian lines.

[1][5][6] On 28 August, Ahmed Pasha finally initiated a direct confrontation with the Russians when he sent his forces to invade Wallachia by crossing the Danube two miles upstream from Rusçuk.

Ismail Bey and his detachment were not a part of Ahmed Pasha's initiative and remained on the Bulgarian side of the Danube with a continuing objective being to cross the river and flank the Russians.

[1][7][8] Kutuzov reacted quickly to the Turkish offensive by moving his headquarters from the fortress at Giurgiu to Slobozia and surrounding the Turks with two divisions of Russian Moldavian troopers that had been returned to his command.

During this time, Ahmed Pasha was able to suitably provision his forces on the bridgehead by ferrying food and supplies across the Danube from the Turkish camp near Rusçuk.

[1][7][8] On the night of 1 October, Kutuzov took the action of secretly sending a detachment of 7,500 men commanded by Lieutenant General Yevgeny Markov across the Danube to the right bank.

Even though the Ottoman forces outnumbered the Russians 3 to 1, the Turks panicked and scattered, suffering casualties of 2,000 men killed, wounded, or captured.

Although the Turks were in no position to make demands, Sultan Mahmud was aware that Tsar Alexander desired to reach an agreement quickly and held out for better terms.

[1][3] Finally, five divisions were taken from Russia's Army in Wallachia and sent to Northern Europe to guard against an attack from Napoleon which ultimately occurred on 24 June 1812.