Polish-Russian War of 1792
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Template:Campaignbox Polish-Russian War of 1792 Image:1792.jpg
War in Defense of the Constitution or Polish-Russian War of 1792 took place in 1792 between Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth on one side, and the Russian Empire on the other.
The forces of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, loyal to King Stanisław August Poniatowski and the Sejm Wielki, defended Poland's May 3rd Constitution of 1791 against the Targowica Confederation of native opponents of the Constitution and the invading Russian armies allied with that Confederation. Image:PolishRuswar 1792.JPG Poland's ally, the Kingdom of Prussia, abandoned Poland by breaking the alliance both countries had and the Prussian commander of the army of the former Grand Duchy of Lithuania betrayed the Polish-Lithuanian cause. The Polish army, led by the King's nephew Prince Józef Poniatowski fought a much larger enemy force the best it could and won a victory at Zieleńce on June 18. Then it retreated to the Bug River, where Tadeusz Kościuszko fought the Battle of Dubienka to a draw. The Russian army, however, was granted free passage through Austrian territory.
Ultimately the Polish loyalist forces were betrayed by accession of Stanisław August Poniatowski to Targowica. This precipitated the Second Partition of Poland (January 21, 1793) and the end of the Commonwealth. The Polish state ceased to exist, and the former Kievan Rus were finally reunited under single rule (of Russian Tsars).