The remains of more than 100 French and Russian soldiers who died on the battlefield nearly 200 years ago received a ceremonial burial on Saturday outside Moscow.
The bodies included 120 soldiers who fought at the Battle of Vyazma in 1812, in which forces from the Russian Empire defeated Napoleon’s retreating army after the failed invasion of Moscow in November 1812. There were also three women believed to have provided food and first aid for the troops, and three teenagers, allegedly drummers, AFP reported.
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 to establish French Army regiments in which some of the victims served.
The burial ceremony was attended by officers 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 famous marshals were present. “Death has made them equal: they are all in a grave now,” said Khitrovo.
The event was seen as a moment of unity between France and Russia, which are at odds with the Russian crackdown on political protests and other issues.