BATTLE // September 1, 1808

Battle of Ruona

Name: Battle of Ruona
Start: 1808-09-01
End: 1808-09-01
Location: Battle of Ruona

LOADING MAP TELEMETRY…

Significance

The Battle of Ruona–Salmi was a major engagement of the Finnish War, pitting a Swedish force of roughly 4,700–5,500 men under Klingspor against a substantially larger Russian army of 9,000–11,000 under Kamensky. The Swedish force absorbed casualties of between 1,000 and 1,500 against Russian losses of approximately 1,000, reflecting the intensity of the fighting despite the disparity in numbers. Kamensky's advance from Alanus and his success in driving back Swedish defensive positions near Kuortane demonstrated Russian operational momentum at this stage of the campaign, pressing the Swedish army onto the defensive in the Finnish interior.

Tactics

Both sides exchanged fierce artillery fire throughout the engagement. Kamensky advanced from Alanus, beating back Swedish barrier positions before closing on the Swedish army's main position near Kuortane by 31 August, setting the stage for the main clash on 1–2 September.