Peter orders an assault on the Turkish-held city-fortress of Azov at the Don River delta.

The first Azov campaign begins in the spring of 1695, when Peter orders his army (thirty-one thousand men and one hundred and seventy guns) to advance towards Azov.

The army, comprising crack regiments and the Don Cossacks, is divided into three units under the command of Franz Lefort, Patrick Gordon and Avtonom Golovin.

Supplies are shipped down the Don from Voronezh.

The Russians block Azov from land between June 27 and July 5, but because Russia has no navy they cannot control the river and prevent resupply.

After two unsuccessful attacks on August 5 and September 25 with the Russians suffering heavy casualties, the siege is lifted on October 1.