A significant part of the military events in the war of 1812 took place on the territory of Belarus. The town of Kobrin became a landmark for the Russian army in our country. Kobrin entered in the history of this war as the town where the first major victory of Russian weapon had been won. On July 15, 1812 French troops were defeated in the battle of Kobrin.

Kobrin was surrounded by a Saxon brigade, commanded by Major-General Klengel. The Saxons surrounded all over the town, but the Russian troops managed to break through the defenses. At that time there were mainly wooden buildings and structures in the town, so it wasn’t difficult for the Russian troops to break through the blockade. The Russians decided to encircle the town and break through the defenses. After the battle ended, out of more than 600 buildings only about 70 survived in the town. In total, more than 200 Russian soldiers were killed in this battle.

It was decided to establish a monument in the town in honour of this important victory. It was built on means of the local residents and donations of the fighting participants themselves. The construction was started in 1912, and the opening occured in July 1913.

The well-known sculptor from Warsaw Sigismund Otto and engineer-builder from Grodno A. Markov were the authors of this majestic monument. What does this monument looks like? Marble memorial plaques are located on its sides and the facade, there are three of them. A memorial inscription was engraved on the central plaque, which reminds of to whom the monument is dedicated: "To the Russian soldiers, who won the first victory over Napoleon's troops within Russia on July 15, 1812". The regiments’ names, that took part in the battles, the captured trophies, and the number of prisoners are listed on the other two boards. The sponsors’ names who took part in the monument erection are listed as well. There is a bronze eagle with the wings spread out on the granite pedestal, it holds a laurel wreath in its claws.

With its majesty the monument conveys the horror of military operations, which took place in Kobrin in 1812. Arriving in this town, you ought to look at this monument and pay tribute to those who died in that distant, but such a bloody war.