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A large-scale historical reconstruction was conducted in Smolensk Region at the Loubino battlefield.
Olga Lisinova, RG
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The celebrations devoted to the bicentennial of russian victory in the War with Napoleon started in March, and this reconstruction was supposed to be a superlative of the commemoration.
Olga Lisinova, RG
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The story began 200 years ago, when on June 24, 1812 Napoleon's 600,000-strong Grand Arm?e crossed Russia's western border.
Olga Lisinova, RG
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The 1812 campaign, named the Patriotic War by the Russians, is known to the British mainly through Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace, which recounts how the seemingly invincible Corsican tasted defeat.
Olga Lisinova, RG
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Initially outnumbered by the French, the two Russian armies retreated, avoiding major battles.
Olga Lisinova, RG
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They eventually joined forces at Smolensk, where Field Marshal Kutuzov took command over the Russian forces.
Olga Lisinova, RG
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The bloodiest battle was fought on Sept. 7 at Borodino, a little more than 60 miles west of Moscow.
Olga Lisinova, RG
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The Russians consider it their victory although the Russian army had to retreat after a battle that was inconclusive in the military sense.
Olga Lisinova, RG
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The rump of the Grand Arm?e was defeated in a series of engagements, the last of them being the disastrous crossing of the Berezina River.
Olga Lisinova, RG
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Of the more than 600,000 soldiers of the French Grande Arm?e who crossed the Russian border in July 1812, only 60,000 survived. Russia achieved victory over the French at a high price. More than 100,000 Russian soldiers died in battle.
Olga Lisinova, RG
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Before the end of the year, several thousands of demoralized French soldiers were expelled from Russia, and in 1813 Alexander I led the European coalition to restore peace, stability and the balance of power in Europe, which was crucial for Russia's development.
Olga Lisinova, RG
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For Russia, the Patriotic War of 1812 was more than another armed conflict. It was an unprecedented cause of liberation for the whole of Europe, and it gave rise to a social and political awakening for Russian society.
Olga Lisinova, RG
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More than 1000 people from all over the country gathered in the Smolensk Region to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Patriotic War of 1812.
Olga Lisinova, RG
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Besides the participants, this event attracted lots of visitors: adults and children.
Olga Lisinova, RG
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The president of the Russian Union of Historical Re-enactment and the initiator of this reconstruction Oleg Sokolov impersonates marshal Ney.
Olga Lisinova, RG
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The participants of the reconstruction, the clergy, the authorities, the French embassy's honored memory of 28 russian, french and portugal combatants, whose relics were found recently on the battlefield. When orthodox and catholic prayers had been said, the relics were solemnly reintered.
Olga Lisinova, RG
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The celebrations will conclude in December. On Dec. 25, exactly 200 years after Alexander I issued a manifesto announcing the expulsion of Napoleon's troops from Russia, a solemn prayer service in memory of the victory in the Patriotic War will be held at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. On the same day, a gala evening will be held at the Bolshoi Theater, concluding the anniversary events.
Olga Lisinova, RG
