Battle of Borodino - grandiose Napoleon's troops clash with army Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov during the French invasion of Russia. The bloody battle that both sides took part in 250,000 men (with a slight numerical predominance of French), did not produce a clear winner. Fighting broke out Sept. 7, 1812.

Napoleon more than a half-million Russian army launched a campaign June 24, 1812 by crossing the border river Niemen. Two Russian army, commanded by Barclay de Tolly and Pyotr Bagration, due to the numerical superiority of the French troops decisive confrontation avoided and merely �stupov�mi fight. The prelude to the big battle became fierce two-day rainfall at Smolensk, where they both faced invasion of the Russian army together. Do their foreheads Tsar Alexander I. subsequently named Alexander Kutuzov, who although not too fond of, but rather recognize the soldiers and ordinary Russians. Also, the new commander of the outnumbered wanted to compete in open combat tactics and continued his predecessors, but while seeking convenient place for a decisive battle. He found him at the village of Borodino, only about 120 kilometers from Moscow. While the advance of his troops withstood enormous odds at �evardina, let Kutuzov build a massive field fortifications. He won not only the time it takes to prepare, but you could get an idea of ??the true power of advanced French troops.

September 7th early morning attacked the Polish Corps of Prince Poniatowski in the service of Napoleon on the left wing of the Russian defense. Following Napoleon's forces attacked the main defense Bagration. Overwhelming onslaught of three French corps Russians initially stopped after several hours of fierce fighting, however, had to retreat into advance. Bagration himself suffered gunshot wounds, who died after a few days.

Two French attacks reflected the Russian 1st Army under the command of Barclay de Tolly. Kutuzov defenders sent to help ride the General Uvarov and Cossacks led by Ataman Platov. They then raided along the side of the Napoleonic army and refrain from its main offensive, which was opened up in 14 hours. After fierce fighting that brought huge losses on both sides, the Russian invaders occupied the position. Both armies clash, however, were already so degraded that the battle had the strength to continue. Estimates of casualties in the Battle of Borodino vary considerably, but it is clear that the losses on both sides reached a frightening number (generally 60 to 90 thousand men).

Napoleon then dopochodoval to Moscow, but he found the charred and without supplies. With a sense of Pyrrhic victory, therefore, decided to leave for France. Constantly nagging Kutuzov's army intervention units while forced to use the route, which itself had plundered. Hunger, disease, harsh climate and unending attacks Russians changed the emperor's departure demoralized army in frantic retreat. Russian campaign and ended Napoleon's disastrous destruction of almost the whole of his army and changed the balance of forces in Europe.