Winter War

Combatants| * Sweden
* Balta

The **Winter War** was a territory conflict fought between Sweden, the Kingdom of Russia and the Consulate of Prussia lasting from 1060 to 1063. It is famous for being the most embarrassing loss in the history of Russia.

## Prelude

During the late 1000s, tensions were high throughout Europe. The Baltic States, particularly the semi-autonomous Finn Province had pledged their allegiance to Sweden should a war broke out. For this reason, Sweden were able to develop military bases and supply lines from their country, through Balta and to the Strait of Lieska which separated Scandinavia from the Eurasian supercontinent.

The existence of Prussia also proved to be a catalyst in the outbreak of the war. It claimed territory both in east Finn as well on the north-western seaboard of Russia (where its capital was located). The Russian authorities were unaware of the tiny nation and thus its placement proved discordant in the upcoming conflict.

## War

### Outbreak

In late November, 1060, Russian forces advanced towards the Strait of Lieska, cutting through and destroying a number of properties owned by Swedish nationals. This promoted the Swedes to retaliate and, with the help of some Finnish soldiers, launched a counterattack towards Prussia.

Being one of the peaks in the region's perpetual winter, November brought the freezing of the strait, thus allowing the Swedish Coalition to cross easily into Prussian territory (which they believed was owned by Russia).

### Battle of Prussia

Early on November 29, Swedish forces entered the Prussian capital, Konigsberg. The invasion coincided with the first day of the Prussian festival of Fortnightia, which traditionally lasted two weeks and involved specific cultural dances which, while similar to southern traditions, had been banned in Russia and Mongolia.

The Swedes believed the dancers were Russian soldiers put in place to confuse the coalition forces and opened fire on the civilians. At the same time, Russian forces entering the city heard the gunfire and moved towards it, engaging in a bitter battle with the Swedish troops. However, the number of civilian deaths far exceeded the soldier casualty count, with some historians placing the ration at 10:1. It is also widely accepted that this battle was the largest contributing factor in the Prussian Genocide which lasted until 1070.

### Russian offensive

Over the next 4 months, the Russians slowly pushed the Swedish forces back through Prussian territory claiming key cities such as Konigsberg, Insterberg and the vast farmland of Kaliningrad. By June of 1061, a stalemate had been formed down the Prussian coast of the Strait of Lieska. During a key attack at the battle of Kostomuksha, the Russians managed to punch a hole through the coalition forces, separating the Swedish army from Finnish volunteers.

### Swedish counterattack

By August, the Swedes were entirely cut off due to the liquid state of the Lieska and were running out of supplies. The Russians had fortified "The Neck", the small stretch of land separating the Swedish and Baltic armies. In a near-suicidal charge, 10,000 Swedish troops stormed the position, losing 90% of those attacking forces but securing The Neck.

### War of attrition and flight to Lieska

Over the following months, the Swedish managed to gain some ground against the Russians, keeping up a war of attrition to put on a guise that they were attempting to wear down the enemy. In actual fact they were biding time until late December when they would