Key Facts
- Dates
- 30 July – 1 August 1812 (N.S.)
- Location
- Near Klyastitsy, road between Polotsk and Sebezh
- Result
- Russian victory; French offensive on St. Petersburg stopped
- Russian commanders wounded
- Both Wittgenstein and Kulnev wounded; Kulnev fatally
- Duration
- 3 days
Strategic Narrative Overview
Engagements unfolded over three days near the village of Klyastitsy. The Russian vanguard under General Yakov Kulnev led forward operations against Oudinot's corps. Fighting was intense, with heavy losses reported on both sides. Both Wittgenstein and Kulnev were wounded during the battle; Kulnev's wound proved fatal. Despite these casualties, Russian forces captured the contested village of Klyastitsy and maintained pressure on the French positions.
01 / The Origins
During Napoleon's 1812 invasion of Russia, French Marshal Nicolas Oudinot commanded a corps advancing northward from Polotsk toward St. Petersburg, the Russian imperial capital. Controlling the road between Polotsk and Sebezh was strategically critical, as it offered a potential route to threaten Russia's seat of government. The Russian First Corps under General Peter Wittgenstein was tasked with blocking this northern flank of the French invasion force.
03 / The Outcome
The battle ended in a Russian victory. Oudinot's corps partially retreated along its communication lines and successfully fended off Russian pursuers, preventing a decisive rout. The principal strategic consequence was the permanent halt of the French offensive aimed at St. Petersburg. The northern axis of Napoleon's invasion was effectively neutralized, and the French threat to the Russian capital was eliminated.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Marshal Nicolas Oudinot.
Side B
1 belligerent
General Peter Wittgenstein, General Yakov Kulnev.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.