The remains of more than 100 French and Russian soldiers who died on the battlefield nearly 200 years ago were given a ceremonial funeral outside Moscow on Saturday.
The bodies included 120 soldiers who fought the Battle of Vyazma in 1812, in which the Russian Empire troops defeated Napoleon’s retreating army after the failed invasion of Moscow in November 1812. There were also three women suspected of providing food and first aid. provided the troops, and three teenage boys, believed to be drummers, reports AFP.
When the bodies were found during a construction project in 2019, archaeologists initially thought the mass grave was from World War II, but researchers determined it was much older. Alexander Khokhlov, head of the archaeological expedition, said the discovery of metal uniform buttons helped establish the French army regiments in which some of the victims had served.
The funeral was attended by officials from both countries and direct descendants of the battle leaders, Yulia Khitrovo, a descendant of Russian Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov and Prince Joachim Murat, a descendant of one of Napoleon’s most celebrated marshals were available. “Death has made them equal: they are now all in one grave,” Khitrovo said.
The event is seen as a moment of unity between France and Russia, which was at odds over Russia’s fight against political protest and other issues.