The Habsburg Monarchy endeavoured to balance the traditional enmity between Austria and Prussia by establishing an alliance with Russia, which was confirmed by the Austrian-Russian Alliance in 1781. However, the military campaign suffered from the incorrect decisions of its highest commanders from the very beginning.

The last war Laudon participated in was the war with the Osman Empire. In 1788 the emperor wrote to Laudon asking him to take command of the army in Croatia. He provided him with all possible luxury for his journey to meet his units in Croatia. The residents of Vienna prepared enthusiastic ovations on his departure, which were repeated when he joined the army before Dubica. The enthusiastic soldiers cheered Laudon and greeted him with shouts of “Long let father Laudon live!” “Long let hero Laudon live!” “Long let holy Laudon live!”