In June 1812, Napoleon invaded Russia with 600,000 men. It was a disastrous campaign that saw up to 90 per cent of them become casualties. Plagued with supply issues and heat exhaustion, an indecisive battle at Borodino saw Napoleon march into Moscow. However, the Russians had burned much of the city to the ground, making it unsuitable for Napoleon's force to spend the winter there. In a gruelling winter retreat, the emperor eventually made it back to safety, but his army had been destroyed. It was a major step in shattering the illusion
