A rearguard action during the Polish–Russian War of 1792 in which Polish forces suffered heavy losses but delayed Russian pursuit for several hours.
Key Facts
- Date
- 14 June 1792
- Polish force size
- 6,500 soldiers and 12 cannons
- Polish infantry in defence
- 1,000 soldiers
- Cannons lost by Poland
- 7 cannons
- Russian delay achieved
- Several hours
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the Polish–Russian War of 1792, the main Polish forces under Poniatowski withdrew northward to Połonne via Czantoria. A supply train escorted by Wielhorski's division of 6,500 soldiers took a shorter but more exposed route through Boruszkowce. Learning of the Polish withdrawal, Russian commander Mikhail Kakhovsky mobilized two Cossack regiments and cavalry to intercept the column along its difficult, forested, and waterlogged route.
Russian forces under Kakhovsky, including Cossacks commanded by Alexey Orlov and cavalry under Alexander Tormasov, attacked and destroyed the rear of the Polish supply train near Boruszkowce on 14 June 1792. Polish cavalry initially repulsed the first Russian charge before withdrawing, after which Polish infantry and artillery mounted a defence. The collapse of a bridge over the marshy river Derevichka effectively trapped part of the Polish force, and when no relief arrived, the Poles withdrew under heavy fire.
The Polish division suffered significant losses, including seven cannons and the supply train. Despite the defeat, the delaying action halted the Russian advance for several hours, providing limited operational benefit to the withdrawing main Polish army. The engagement illustrated the vulnerability of Polish logistical columns to Russian mobile forces in the broader context of the ultimately unsuccessful Polish resistance of 1792.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Michał Wielhorski.
Side B
1 belligerent
Mikhail Kakhovsky, Alexey Orlov, Alexander Tormasov.