Report
on the situation in Petrograd region

Serpuhov
January 31st 1919

General situation. Enemy

.  .  .

Finland. We adopted strictly defensive mode of operations at Karelia and Olonets sectors, and on our side there was not a single agressive attempt. There were numerous attacks on the Finnish side, but all these did not surpassed minor frontier engagements. The rumours of considerable troops preparations in the Olonets sector to Petrozavodsk and on the west coast of lake Ladoga upon examination were found to be exaggerated.

Nonetheless, the government of Finland, obviously sympathizing with the operations of Estland¹ and providing it with armament and troops, continues formation of it's own regular armed forces, which currently comprises three divisions and one subdivision, and reaches up to 35 thousands swords and bayonettes. Most of these forces are (up to 18 thousands) concentrated in the sector of Petrograd against the Karelian Isthmus and in the Serdobol area (up to 5 thousands) on the Olonets and Petrozavodsk sectors.

Moreover, Russian White Army units are being urgently formed, and these already are reaching up to 15 thousands men. At the same time we observe regrouping of the Finnish armed forces to the Karelian Isthmus sector. Thus, for example, the mountain sub-division is relocated from Kajaani to Terijoki; Uleåborg's², Vaasa's and Ojmund's regiments are mustered from the inner parts of the country to the Karelian Isthmus; the staff of the 3d division is relocated from Sankt Michel³ to Serdobol.

The press covering the Finnish politics freely and with certainity discusses the prospects of a war against Russia and regards it inevitable, awaiting only the Senate's approval. The same sources point that the march-off is set for February.

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The operational plan of the enemy. It is undoubtfull that the governments of Estland and Finland, based on Antanta's requiremnt and being fully supported by it, will not delay an offense against the Russian Soviet Republic, Petrograd being the primary objective.

To secure this object the combined forces of the enemy could attack in the following directions:
1) Vyborg-Petrograd and Kronstadt,
2) Narva-Yamburg-Gatchina,
3) Yuriev⁴-Pskov-Luga-Gatchina,
4) Yuriev-Pskov-Dno-Novgorod
5) Serdobol-Olonets-Lodeynoye Pole,
6) Serdobol-Petrozavodsk.
Of these the most probable are:
1) Vyborg-Petrograd and
2) Narva-Gatchina,
but these do not exclude, however, simultaneous associated operations in Pskov region and on the Olonets isthums.

.  .  .

Chief of Staff
Ph.Kostyaev⁵

The Central State Archives of the Soviet Army, fund 6, list 4, file 212, pp. 12-14. (Vidimus)

1. Estonia
2. Oulu
3. Mikkeli
4. Tartu
5. Kostyaev Feodor Vassilievich (1878-1925) – former Major General of the Russian Army