In Pictures: Russia and France bury their dead 200 years later

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Officials and descendants of 19th-century Russian and French military leaders gathered for a windswept ceremony in the western town of Vyazma to rebury the remains of 126 people killed in one of the bloodiest battles of Napoleon’s Russian campaign. [Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP]

French officials from the embassy in Moscow arrange remains of Russian and French soldiers who died during Napoleon’s 1812 retreat, in communal coffins during a ceremony in a small church in the monastery of John the Precursor in the town of Vyazma. [Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP]

The remains were discovered in a mass grave by French and Russian archaeologists in 2019. [Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP]

They are thought to have fallen during the Battle of Vyazma on November 3, 1812, at the beginning of the French army’s retreat from Moscow and before the horrific crossing of the Berezina River. [Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP]

The remains of 100 Russian and French soldiers were unearthed in Vyazma, a small town in western Russia. [Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP]

The remains of 100 Russian and French soldiers were unearthed in Vyazma, a small town in western Russia. [Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP]

Research by the Russian Academy of Sciences later showed the remains were of victims of Napoleon’s campaign, said anthropologist Tatyana Shvedchikova. [Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP]

 

Alexander Khokhlov, the head of the archaeological expedition, said the discovery of metal uniform buttons helped establish that some of the victims served in the French army’s 30th and 55th line infantry regiments and 24th light infantry regiment. [Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP]

A re-enactor in period uniform attends the burial ceremony of remains of Russian and French soldiers in the western town of Vyazma on Saturday. [Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP]

 

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