Battle of Murino

On the third day of Serbian Christmas, January 8, 1880, about a month after the battle of Novšiće, around 10,000 pro-Ottoman[1] Albanians attacked the Montenegrin forces numbering 3,000, led by commanders Marko Miljanov and Todor Miljanov and priest Đoko,[2] in Murino.[1] At this battle, the Montenegrin forces were made up of the Bratonožići, Vasojevići and Moračani.[2] The Albanians, among whom were Ottoman regulars (as in previous battles),[2] had 1,400 casualties (dead and wounded), the Montenegrins 36 dead and 70 wounded.[2]

Battle of Murino
Part of Battles for Plav and Gusinje
Murino in May 2011
Date 8 January 1880 Location Velika, Plav, Montenegro 42.656833°N 19.876166°E / 42.656833; 19.876166 Result Montenegrin victory
Belligerents
Montenegro	League of Prizren Aided by:  Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Marko Miljanov Todor Miljanov priest Đoko
Units involved
Bratonožići battalion Vasojevići battalion Moračani battalion	Albanian irregulars Ottoman regulars
Strength
3,000	10,000
Casualties and losses
36 dead and 70 wounded	1,400
Location within modern-day Montenegro

According to the Montenegrin Prince Nicholas, the defeat of retreating Ottoman forces was so devastating, that Montenegrin forces finished the battle before the night had fallen, which is something they usually don't do.[3] The Albanian irregulars burned down several villages, among which several (Velika, Ržanica and Pepić), belonged to the Vasojevići tribe.[4] This battle was considered as Montenegrin revenge for their defeat in the battle of Novšiće. Right after the battle of Murino, Marko Miljanov received a report that Albanians were boasting for keeping Plav and Gusinje, not for the battles they fought with the Montenegrins.[5] Some reports say that Montenegrin soldiers brought 221 noses they cut from the dead bodies of Ottoman Albanian irregulars.[6]