ORDER OF BATTLE // August 20, 1809
Battle of Ratan
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 8,420 estimated
Sweden
5,420
Medium-confidence figure
Russian Empire
3,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The Battle of Ratan was the last engagement fought on Swedish soil during the Finnish War of 1808–1809. It formed the concluding action of a Swedish operation aimed at eliminating the Russian force that had advanced into northern Sweden following Russia's conquest of Finland. The Swedish plan combined a land assault with naval support, but the operation unraveled over two days: Russian forces defeated the Swedish landing at Sävar on 19 August, then on 20 August pushed the Swedish riflemen out of Ratan entirely, forcing an evacuation covered by warship artillery. Swedish casualties reached 2,000 from a force of 5,420. The battle's immediate consequence was the opening of peace negotiations, marking the effective end of hostilities and confirming Russia's retention of Finland — the central territorial outcome of the war.
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