Why did Napoleon attack Moscow?

[Snake Featherston]

Is there any realistic possibility of Boney invading the Ukraine?

Given the degree to which Nappy was focused on avoiding the mistakes of Charles XII, as he viewed them? No.

 

[Mikestone8]

I could see the second one happening. The Poles were some of Napoleon's best soldiers, and could probably have carved out an empire for themselves with the help of the Grand Armee. If he just conquered Belarus and western Ukraine without proceeding any further, I could definitely see a French victory on the horizon.

Might be good news for the serfs in those regions.

In this situation, the Tsar probably proclaims their emancipation and gives them every encouragement to massacre their Polish landlords for collaborating with the French.

 

[Easterling]

Given the degree to which Nappy was focused on avoiding the mistakes of Charles XII, as he viewed them? No.

Ironically, an invasion of Russia with limited goals (such as seizing ex-Polish terittory) would probably given Napoleon a better chance of avoiding the fate of Chareles XII in the long run.