New mass deportations in North Ingria

Last June, news came in that soviet authorities started again to deport Finnish population of Ingria from their home lands in large quantities. Deportation was mostly from territory between Leningrad and the Finnish border.

Between April 27th and May 6th, 174 families were deported from Hipelinmäki commune (parish Lempaala) and 394 families from Maanselkä commune, 567 families in total or around 2400 people.

Seven more villages were deported in same parish. Five villages were scheduled to exile on July 15th, but apparently, they have already been expelled.

12 villages were totally emptied in Toksova parish. 15 villages in Valkeasaari parish were also deported. At least 3 villages were expelled in Vuole parish. Many villages were deported in Miikkulaisi parish as well.

By very conservative estimate 8000 people were deported from 43 villages known to us. The deported were moved to Babaevsky and Kaduijsky districts of Cherepovets region. People were moved in cattle railroad cars with signs saying “Voluntary Resettles” attached to them. There was no food in places of exile. Some of deportees had to escape. Others were distributed to Russian kolkhozes.

Before only those were deported who refused to join kolkhoz, or churchgoers, or those called “enemies of soviet government”. Now total population of villages is deported including members of kolkhoz and communists. Apparently, it is connected to speedy school reform that replaced Finnish language with Russian. Finnish nationality is the only reason for deportation.

If the intent of Soviet authorities to clear the part on Ingria that is North of Neva River will be implemented, then it means that 25000-28000 innocent people will be deported from their homes.

One of the deportees who recently escaped from exile told following:

“Total deportation has started on July the 8th when our belongings were moved to railroad station Gruzino, where they were into cargo cars. Animals were placed at both ends of the car, families in the middle. Plaques saying “Voluntary Resettles” were attached to the outside. Passenger’s cars with armed soldiers were added to each train. When the trains started moving, one could hear animal roar and people’s cry from each car.

We were placed among the Russians in the place of settlement – 15 Families per village. Region in which we were settled is very underdeveloped and poor. Small villages are scattered between marshes and forests. It’s difficult to get there. For example, Sholsky district where our family was moved, is located 200 kilometers from nearest train station.

The conditions of local people are miserable. Everywhere, great need and poverty can be seen. Main activities are sap collection resin making and primitive farming. Modern farming is hardly known there. Soil is being worked with wooden plough, and harrow, made of wooden pole. Usual transport is carriage on wooden shafts. In addition to all of this, contagious diseases are widespread. Dozens of people die from it every day. So far, more that 40 people have died, and dozens of families fled from our village in a course of a few weeks. Deportees may not count on any medical help, because nearest doctor lives 100 kilometres from them.

Soon after our arrival we’ve noticed that locals started hating and harassing us. They weren’t happy that newcomers were forcefully put into their homes. There were instances when at night they smashed windows in houses where Ingrian deportees lived. Authorities don’t pay any attention to that matter. Their only explanation to locals is that all nations in Soviet Union are equal.“

Newspaper “Sanaseppä”, Estonia, issues 6-7, 1936

Translated by Margarita Matthew, 2024