The next Russian-Turkish War (1768-1774) unfolded on several fronts. The Sultan, who declared war on Russia, was confident of victory, but in Moldavia and Wallachia, troops under the command of P. Rumyantsev defeated the Turkish-Tatar detachments of Khan Kaplan Giray II at the Pockmarked Grave and on the Larga River in 1770. In the same year, on July 21, despite an almost tenfold preponderance of the enemy's forces, Rumyantsev completely defeated the 150,000-strong Turkish army near the Cahul River...

The consequences of that Russian campaign proved to be very difficult for the Sword-Bearers: most of their possessions were lost. Coupled with considerable human losses, it dealt a serious blow to the military might of the Order. However, as further events showed, this blow was not devastating. Already in September of the same year, the Sword Brothers headed by Master Volkwin joined the united army of the Bishopric vassals, the Livonians and Latgalians, as well as the pilgrims under the command of Albrecht II...