The Russian army is in full retreat by early February, relentlessly pursued by the French.

After several aborted attempts to stand and fight, Bennigsen resolves to retreat to the town of Preussisch-Eylau and here make a stand.

During the pursuit, perhaps influenced by the dreadful state of the Polish roads, the savage winter weather and the relative ease with which his forces had dealt with Prussia, Napoléon had allowed the Grande Armée to become more spread out than was his custom.

In contrast, Bennigsen's forces are already concentrated.

The Russians fight Soult's corps for possession of Eylau on February 7.