Republic of Kalmykia

Posts Tagged ‘Smolensk’

Hell’s devils: How Russia’s steppe warriors took on Napoleon’s armies

July 28, 2014 Alexander Vershinin, Special to RBTH

Direct descendants of the fearsome Mongol hordes of Genghis Khan, in the early 19th century Kalmyk cavalrymen were to play a significant role in driving Napoleon’s Grande Armée out of Russia and all the way back to Paris, with their ancient battle skills sowing confusion and terror in the French ranks. Read the rest of this entry »