As part of this process, "Virsaitis" joined the Soviet Baltic Fleet on 19 August 1940 as a minesweeper, and was renamed "T-297". Germany invaded the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941. "T-297", which was redesignated as an escort vessel on 25 July 1941 (returning to the name "Virsaitis"), was used to defend naval bases and communication routes. From 31 October 1941, the Baltic Fleet carried out a series of convoy operations to evacuate the garrison of the Hanko Peninsula, which the Finns had been forced to lease to the Soviets for use as a naval base following the Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union, but was now besieged. "Virsaitis" took part in the fourth evacuation convoy on 24 November 1941 and the final operation, which left Hanko on the evening of 2 December. "Virsaitis" struck a mine later that day and sunk.