The Battle of Liaoyang began as Japan sought to secure a decisive victory over Russia in their ongoing conflict during the Russo-Japanese War. Japanese forces, numbering around 200,000 soldiers, advanced towards the city of Liaoyang, which was a vital rail hub and an essential supply point for the Russian army. The Russian defense, under the command of General Aleksei Kuropatkin, prepared to engage the Japanese troops in an effort to hold the city and deny the Japanese a strategic foothold in the region. As the battle commenced, both sides experienced severe casualties amid relentless artillery bombardments and fierce infantry assaults. The terrain played a critical role, as the heavily fortified Russian positions faced the Japanese who utilized tactical maneuvers to their advantage.

The battle lasted from August 25 to September 3, 1904, and was characterized by several intense phases of fighting. The Japanese forces demonstrated superior coordination and warfare tactics, increasingly challenging the traditional military approaches employed by the Russian commanders. The conflict saw repeated assaults and counterattacks, illustrating the desperation of both sides. Japanese troops managed to encircle Russian units, applying continued pressure, which resulted in significant challenges for the Russians in maintaining supply lines and troop morale. Ultimately, the battle underscored the effectiveness of modern military strategy employed by the Japanese, positioning them favorably in the broader scope of the war.