Finland marks 70th anniversary of Winter War
Some 27,000 Finnish soldiers were killed and 43,000 wounded in a population of 3.7 million.

Finland marks 70th anniversary of Winter War

November 30, 2009 at 14:33 | Associated Press
HELSINKI (AP) — Finns are marking the 70th anniversary of the start of the Winter War when Stalin's Red Army attacked the small Nordic country.

Finland lost the 105-day war, but its resistance against the massive Soviet war machine with its white-clad "ghost army" stunned Moscow and Stalin agreed to a truce in March 1940.

Some 27,000 Finnish soldiers were killed and 43,000 wounded in a population of 3.7 million. The Soviet Union put its losses at 217,500 dead or wounded.

Monday's ceremonies include wreaths being placed at tombs and graveyards, special events and a memorial service in Helsinki Cathedral attended by President Tarja Halonen.