1808 in Russia

Incumbents

• Monarch – Alexander I

Events

• Russo-Persian War (1804–1813)
• * Siege of Erivan (1808)
• Russo-Turkish War (1806–1812)
• Anglo-Russian War (1807–1812)
• * June 23: Battle of the Nargö
• Finnish War
• * March 14 - May 3: Siege of Sveaborg
• * April 16: Battle of Pyhäjoki
• * April 18: Battle of Siikajoki
• * April 22 - May 18: Russian occupation of Gotland
• * April 27: Battle of Revolax
• * May 2: Battle of Pulkkila
• * May 9 or 10: Battle of Kumlinge
• * May 12: Battle of Kuopio
• * June 19–20: Battle of Lemo
• * June 24: Battle of Nykarleby
• * June 25–26: Battle of Vaasa
• * June 30-July 2: Battle of Rimito Kramp
• * July 3: Battle of Lintulaks
• * July 11: Battle of Kokonsaari
• * July 14: Battle of Lapua
• * July 31: Battle of Mönninvaara
• * August 2–3: Battle of Sandöström
• * August 10: Battle of Pälkjärvi
• * August 10: Battle of Kauhajoki
• * August 17: Battle of Alavus
• * August 21: Battle of Karstula
• * August 28: Battle of Nummijärvi
• * August 29: Battle of Lappfjärd
• * August 30: Battle of Grönvikssund
• * September 1–2: Battle of Ruona–Salmi
• * September 13: Battle of Jutas
• * September 14–15: Battle of Oravais
• * September 17–18: Battle of Lokalaks
• * September 18: Battle of Palva Sund
• * September 26–28: Helsinki village landing
• * October 27: Battle of Koljonvirta
• September 27 - October 14: Congress of Erfurt
• Construction of Fort Constantin begins
• The Russian Messenger magazine begins publication

Births

• Karl Eduard Aeschlimann, Swiss-born architect
• Osip Bodyansky, Slavist of Ukrainian Cossack descent
• Pyotr Chikhachyov, naturalist and geologist
• Natan Friedland, rabbi, preacher, writer, proto-Zionist
• Aleksey Gornostayev, architect
• Aurora Karamzin, Finnish lady-in-waiting and philanthropist
• Pyotr Kireevsky, folklorist and philologist
• Elim Meshchersky, diplomat, poet, and translator
• Anna Olenina, noblewoman and writer
• Manana Orbeliani, Georgian noblewoman and salonist
• Yehuda Leib Schneersohn, Ukrainian Habad Hasidic rabbi
• Apollon Skalkowski, Polish-Russian historian and writer
• Grigory Skariatin, general
• Yitzchok Sternhartz, Ukrainian Hasidic Jew
• Alexander Sulkhanishvili, Georgian calligrapher, translator, and lexicographer
• Alexey Tyranov, painter
• Khasay Khan Utsmiyev, Kumyk general
• Aleksandr Voskresensky, chemist
• Lavrenty Zagoskin, naval officer and explorer

Deaths

• Alexander Bekleshov, general, government official, Prosecutor general
• Apollon Dashkov, general, Governor of Taganrog
• Mikhail Petrovich Dolgorukov, general killed at Battle of Koljonvirta
• Grand Duchess Elizabeth Alexandrovna of Russia, daughter of Alexander I, died young
• Alexei Grigoryevich Orlov, general-in-chief, admiral, and statesman
• Fyodor Rokotov, portrait painter
• Ivan Starov, architect
• Artemy Vedel, Ukrainian composer of military and liturgical music