Published in: Helsingin Sanomat, 26th of July, 2004

- THE MILITARY CHANNELS OF SUVOROV WILL BE RENOVATED

- Ruokolahti, The researcher is looking a pile of rocks that are partly covered by grass. Outsider might not notice anything unusual in that pile, but the researcher has more knowledge. Most likely it's the basement from an old barrack. The researcher is holding in his hands, a Russian map that's dated from the year 1804. The area that the researchers are investigating, is an old Russian garrison area. 

In July and in August, the museum office is mapping and researching the structures from the so-called military channels of Suvorov. This research is focused on the structures that are located on the ground and also to those structures, that are located under water. The work that was started last year, is a part of the plan to renovate the channels into a tourists use. The channels in Kutvele, Käykä, Telataipale and Kukonharju will be connected to the so-called from Castle to Castle route, that's being planned together with the Russians. The tourists will be acquainted to the common history that Finland and Russia shares, by guiding them from one castle or fortification to another one. These kind of locations are spread out in both sides of the border. The modern researchers are most likely only annoyed by the mosquito's that are in the area, but when General Alexander Suvorov was ordered to the wooded area in Savo-Karelia, he was really annoyed and furious.

- Empress Catherine II sent his most skilled military leader in the middle of the war against Turkey, to strengthen the fortifications that would protect St. Petersburg against Sweden. The General suspected that he was now unpopular in the eyes of the Empress, but started the work as ordered. He fortified the border area from Hamina to Taavetti, where the fortification continued to Savitaipale and Lappeenranta and finally ending into Olavinlinna. The strait of Puumala and the strait of Vekara had just recently been included to the Russian empire, after the war against Sweden. This meant that the Russian fleet in Saimaa, which was located in Lappeenranta, Savitaipale and Savonlinna, was unable to move freely in between the different fortifications. On top of this all, the Swedes were collecting tariffs in the strait of Puumala. Suvorov proposed that they would build alternative route: Four different channels, which would enable the small fleet to move freely in Saimaa. The most well preserved place from this quite unique route is the channel of Kukonharju in Puumala. The channel, which is as straight as an arrow, is about 700 meters long and it has been dug in the middle of the forest. The bottom of the channel, has been made from boards and it has preserved quite well. Also the basement from a guard house is visible. During the construction of this channel, there was over a thousand men here with their churches and cemeteries, says the leading researcher. The cemetery was needed badly, as the number of men that died during the construction, was very high. Suvorov literally speaking, forced his men to go through the grey stone. The channel was partly mined through a solid rock and the Russians were forced to learn how to perform rock cutting. The researcher suspects, that they used a technique that was invented by the Dutch. 

- At the entrance of each of the channels, the leading tactician and strategist, build a wooden boxes, to act as a breakwater and to protect the channels. Those constructions are still visible at the entrance. Suvorov thought that the channels would be ready in a year, but in practice it took seven years to complete them. He wasn't around the whole time, as he left to fight against Napoleon and marched with his men across the Alps and gained a reputation as an invincible military leader. The usage of these channels was much less than had been imagined. After the war that was fought during the years 1808 to 1809, the Russia ruled whole Finland and the fleet in Saimaa was disbanded. The huge job that Suvorov had done, was forgotten to many years...

ALEXANDER SUVOROV

- Alexander Suvorov (1730 - 1800) is a famous military leader and a doctrinaire. Some even considered him to be a genious.

- He was born into a nobiliary family in Inkeri and considered himself to be a Finn. Suvorov spoke Finnish. 

- He explained that his last name was a modification from Suvävaara. 

- During the year 1773, he was moving in Finland to spy especially the straits in Saimaa. He was dressed as a peasant and used the names Suhonen and Suuvuori.

- He gained his reputation during the reign of Empress Catherine II, when he fought against the Turks, Poles, Prussians and Tartars. 

- Most famous book from him is the Doctrine of Winning (Voittamisen Oppi)

- Thesis from him: Hard training - easy win.

- Emphasized that surprise and speed is everything. A good solution today is a better one, than a perfect solution tomorrow. 

- Trained his men so much physically, that in St. Petersburg, it was said that he was ordering the men to run as long as they were alive.

- During the reign of Paul I he was in house arrest, but marched across the Alps with his men, to fight against the French in 1799. 

- Ordered that his tombstone should simply state: Here lies Suvorov.

- According to a legend, Suvorov is not dead. He's just sleeping and he will wake up immediately when Russia is faced against a strong military threat.