Battles & Campaigns · 1808
Battle of Ruona and Salmi
Near Kuortane, South Ostrobothnia, Finland
What happened
A Russian army under Nikolay Kamensky attacked a Swedish army under Wilhelm Mauritz Klingspor. Russian troops attacked the Swedish position near Kuortane from the front while other units went round both sides. The Swedes held on the first day, but Klingspor feared being surrounded and pulled back that night. The next day the Russians attacked again and the Swedes retreated.
Why it matters
It is considered one of the turning points of the Finnish War, together with Oravais.
What came next
The Swedish army withdrew toward Vaasa. Two weeks later it was beaten again at Oravais.
Did you know?
Swedish and Russian sources disagree hugely on how many men the Swedes had.
Timeline
- 1–2 Sep 1808Battle of Ruona and Salmi.
- 13 Sep 1808Battle of Jutas.
- 14 Sep 1808Battle of Oravais.