1808 in Russia

• Monarch – Alexander I

• 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 (1808-1809)
  • 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

• Karl Eduard Aeschlimann, Swiss-born architect (d. 1893)
• Osip Bodyansky, Slavist of Ukrainian Cossack descent (d. 1877)
• Pyotr Chikhachyov, naturalist and geologist (d. 1890)
• Natan Friedland, rabbi, preacher, writer, proto-Zionist (d. 1883)
• Aleksey Gornostayev, architect (d. 1862)
• Aurora Karamzin, Finnish lady-in-waiting and philanthropist (d. 1902)
• Pyotr Kireevsky, folklorist and philologist (d. 1856)
• Elim Meshchersky, diplomat, poet, and translator (d. 1844)
• Anna Olenina, noblewoman and writer (d. 1888)
• Manana Orbeliani, Georgian noblewoman and salonist (d. 1870)
• Yehuda Leib Schneersohn, Ukrainian Habad Hasidic rabbi (d. 1866)
• Apollon Skalkowski, Polish-Russian historian and writer (d. 1898)
• Grigory Skariatin, general (d. 1849)
• Yitzchok Sternhartz, Ukrainian Hasidic Jew (d. 1871)
• Alexander Sulkhanishvili, Georgian calligrapher, translator, and lexicographer (d. ?)
• Alexey Tyranov, painter (d. 1859)
• Khasay Khan Utsmiyev, Kumyk general (d. 1867)
• Aleksandr Voskresensky, chemist (d. 1880)
• Lavrenty Zagoskin, naval officer and explorer (d. 1890)

• Alexander Bekleshov, general, government official, Prosecutor general (b. 1743)
• Apollon Dashkov, general, Governor of Taganrog (b. 1753)
• Mikhail Petrovich Dolgorukov, general killed at Battle of Koljonvirta (b. 1780)
• Grand Duchess Elizabeth Alexandrovna of Russia, daughter of Alexander I, died young (b. 1806)
• Alexei Grigoryevich Orlov, general-in-chief, admiral, and statesman (b. 1737)
• Fyodor Rokotov, portrait painter (b. 1736)
• Ivan Starov, architect (b. 1745)
• Artemy Vedel, Ukrainian composer of military and liturgical music (b. 1767)

Media related to 1808 in the Russian Empire at Wikimedia Commons