The Battle of Krasnoi unfolded from 15 to 18 November 1812 marking a critical episode in Napoleon's arduous retreat from Moscow. Over the course of six skirmishes the Russian forces under field marshal Kutuzov inflicted significant blows upon the remnants of the Grande Armée, already severely weakened by attrition warfare. These confrontations, though not escalated into full-scale battles, led to substantial losses for the French due to their depleted weapons and horses.
Battle of Krasnoi on 17 November 1812 by Peter von Hess (1849)
The walls of the Smolensk Kremlin
The Grande Armée was devastated by the elements, a blizzard before it reached Krasnoi. Painting by Vasily Vereshchagin
View on Merlino in February 1840, lithograph by Barthélemy Lauvergne
French invasion of Russia
The French invasion of Russia, also known as the Russian campaign and in Russia as the Patriotic War of 1812, was initiated by Napoleon with the aim of compelling the Russian Empire to comply with the continental blockade of the United Kingdom. Widely studied, Napoleon's incursion into Russia stands as a focal point in military history, recognized as among the most devastating military endeavors globally. In a span of fewer than six months, the campaign exacted a staggering toll, claiming the lives of nearly a million soldiers and civilians.
Image: IV corpo durante la campagna di Russia
Image: Конец Бородинского боя
Image: Fireofmoscow
Image: Retreat of Napoleon Army from Moscow 1812