(Sept. 7, 1812) Bloody battle of the Napoleonic Wars , fought during Napoleon 's invasion of Russia, near the town of Borodino, about 70 miles (110 km) west of Moscow.
Napoleon's 130,000 troops won a narrow victory over 120,000 Russians under Mikhail Kutuzov . The Russians suffered about 45,000 dead and wounded, while the French lost about 30,000 men. The victory allowed Napoleon to occupy Moscow.