Outbreak of the French-Russian War

Date: June 22, 1812 • Location: Paris, France

This milestone marked the outbreak and beginning of this historic period, which spanned 1812–1814.

France declared war on Russia, starting Napoleon's invasion two days later.

The First French Empire declared war on the Russian Empire on 22 June [O.S. 10 June] 1812, starting Napoleon's invasion two days later. The declaration of war was presented in a diplomatic note by French ambassador Jacques Lauriston to Russian Foreign Minister Alexander Saltykov in Saint Petersburg. The note, preceded by two years of deteriorating French–Russian relations, stated that the request for passports by Russian ambassador Alexander Kurakin meant a severance of diplomatic relations and that Napoleon "from now on considers himself at war with Russia".