At two o'clock in the afternoon, the French captured Raevsky's battery on the Borodino field. A huge breach appeared in the Russian defense, into which enemy uhlans immediately rushed. They were met by only a small group of wounded artillerymen. With fierce courage, raising clouds of sand and dust, the uhlans attacked them with their sabers.

General Vasily Kostenetsky came to the aid of his men. Throwing aside his saber, he grabbed an artillery rammer and, swinging it, struck the first rider he encountered, who immediately fell from his horse. Then, exclaiming, "Guys, do not fear death! Look how it should be done!" he charged into the thick of the enemy, swinging the rammer and knocking down uhlans one after another, creating a path through their ranks. The other artillerymen followed his example, using everything they could find. Padded wads flew towards the cavalrymen, blows from axes, sticks, and rammers rained down. Unable to withstand such resistance, the uhlans turned and retreated.

After the Battle of Borodino, Kostenetsky was presented to Alexander I. Vasily Grigorievich suggested to the sovereign to replace wooden rammers with iron ones in the artillery. The emperor replied with irony, "I can have iron rammers, but where can I find men like Kostenetsky to wield them?"

Outside of battle, Vasily Grigorievich was a kind man. Once, a frozen French officer from a musical band was brought to him. Kostenetsky ordered that he be given a fur coat and seated by the fire: "When he warms up, let him show his talent." Half an hour later, the prisoner, feeling better, performed a beautiful aria. The general was delighted, embraced the Frenchman, and decided to keep him with him.

The fate of Kostenetsky is tragic. After going through numerous battles and campaigns without a single wound, he died of cholera, which he contracted while helping to evacuate peasants from the villages.