A Defense Ministry official in Belarus says the remains of 180 Napoleonic soldiers who died in a major battle against the Russian army have been found in the former Soviet republic.

Tens of thousands of French troops were killed when the Russians attacked Napoleon’s army as it was crossing the Berezina River in November 1812 on the punishing retreat from Moscow.

The soldiers’ remains are located about 70 miles east of Minsk near the town of Borisov.

The grave is adjacent to another site where authorities ceremonially reburied 223 French soldiers last year.

Col. Viktor Shumsky said Thursday that a reburial ceremony was also likely for the Napoleonic soldiers, pending agreement from France.