When the Continuation War began on 25 June 1941, the Finnish icebreakers were re-armed and their anti-aircraft armament was improved. On 20 July, while guarding a motti in the Hanko Front, the camouflaged "Murtaja" was attacked by a group of Soviet fighter-bombers. None of the planes scored a direct hit, but the nearby explosions caused severe damage to the engine and fittings. On the following day "Murtaja" was towed to Crichton-Vulcan shipyard in Turku for repairs. Later the front moved east and the icebreaker fleet was disbanded in December 1941, after which some of the armament was removed and the icebreakers resumed their normal peacetime duties. For the remainder of the war "Murtaja" assisted ships without major incidents.