Mikhail Kutuzov

Kutuzov commanded the Russian army alongside Austrian forces against Napoleon at Austerlitz. Despite his advice to avoid battle, Tsar Alexander I ordered an attack, resulting in a decisive French victory that destroyed the Third Coalition.

Kutuzov commanded the Russian army against Napoleon's Grande Arm

Kutuzov's forces engaged Napoleon's army at Maloyaroslavets, blocking the French retreat along the Kaluga road. The battle forced Napoleon to retreat along the devastated Smolensk road, leading to the destruction of the Grande Arm

Kutuzov made the controversial decision to abandon Moscow to Napoleon without a fight after the Battle of Borodino. The retreat preserved the Russian army and led to Napoleon's occupation of a burning city, ultimately contributing to the French retreat.