Kobryn entered the history of the military campaign of 1812 as the city where the first major victory of Russian weapons was gained. On July 15, 1812, the Saxon brigade, which was part of the Napoleonic army, was defeated in the battle of Kobryn.

On July 15, 1812, units of the 3rd Russian Army under the command of General Tarmasov went into battle with the Saxon corps of General Zh. Rainier near Kobryn. A detachment of four thousand Saxons laid down their arms. 2,382 soldiers and 76 officers under the leadership of General Klengel were captured. After the end of the battle, only about 70 of the more than 600 wooden buildings of the city survived. In total, more than 200 Russian soldiers died in this battle.

In 1912, a monument was laid in Kobryn to the 100th anniversary of the victory. Its construction was made by voluntary donations of military units of the 38th Infantry Division and the 38th Artillery Brigade, as well as residents of the Hrodna province. The author of the project, civil engineer D. Markaŭ, took over the supervision and management of all works on the construction of the monument for free. The work with the stone was carried out by master Jarasinski from Brest. The sculpting and casting of the bronze eagle, the execution and installation of commemorative marble plaques were carried out by the famous Warsaw sculptor Sigismund Otto.

A bronze eagle with outstretched wings and a laurel wreath in its claws is mounted on a pedestal of granite boulders. There are 3 marble boards on the facade and side faces of the pedestal. Russian soldiers who won the first victory over Napoleon's troops within the borders of Russia on July 15, 1812 are inscribed on the front board, and the regiments, units of the Russian army that participated in the Battle of Kobryn, and the founders of the monument are listed on the sides.

During the First World War, the eagle and side boards were removed and lost. The monument was restored in 1951 with the participation of sculptor Michail Kierzin.

Publication date: 28.09.2023.

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