Rukajärvi Direction Information Board at Rajakangas
Put simply, it was not until the Continuation War that the Finns implemented the operational plan originally drawn up for the Winter War. According to the plan, the objective in the event of war was to capture Repola, located across the border, and prepare to continue the offensive deeper into Viena Karelia.
The 14th Division, commanded by Colonel Erkki Raappana, advanced towards Repola from the Kuhmo and Lieksa areas. The border was crossed on 4 July 1941. Infantry Regiments 31 and 52 crossed the border from Kuhmo, while Infantry Regiment 10 advanced from the direction of Lieksa. The forces joined west of Repola.
The offensive continued towards Repola, which was captured on 8 July. The most significant victory was achieved at Omelia, east of Repola, where one Red Army infantry regiment and most of a howitzer regiment were encircled.
Rukajärvi was captured on 12 September, and the advance was halted at the Ontajoki River on 16 September. After this, the fighting subsided. The war developed into positional warfare, characterised by patrol engagements across vast wilderness areas. Finnish troops remained in their positions for nearly three years and withdrew behind the old border in September 1944.
The site is reasonably easy to access. There are no designated roadside pull-offs at the information board, but there are several road junctions along Road 9111 (Saunajärventie) where it is possible to stop. Address: Saunajärventie 3339, 88900 Kuhmo.