Rintamapinnat

Rintamapinnat, also known as the Finnish Winter War, was a significant conflict that took place in Finland between November 1939 and March 1940. The war was a result of the Soviet Union's annexation of the Baltic states and the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence. Finland, which had remained neutral during the early stages of World War II, was invaded by the Soviet Union on November 30, 1939. The Finnish government, led by President Risto Ryti, declared war on the Soviet Union on December 6, 1939.

The Finnish military, despite being outnumbered and outgunned, managed to hold the Soviet forces at bay for nearly three months. The Finnish Winter War is notable for its harsh winter conditions, which significantly impacted the combat effectiveness of both sides. The war ended with the Moscow Peace Treaty on March 13, 1940, which resulted in Finland ceding approximately 10% of its territory to the Soviet Union, including the city of Viipuri. The war had a profound impact on Finnish society, leading to a period of national unity and strengthening of Finnish independence. The war also marked the beginning of Finland's alliance with Nazi Germany, which would later lead to Finland's participation in the Continuation War during World War II.