Russo-Swedish War of 1788-1790 began

2 July 1788

June 21 (July 2) 1788 the Swedish army under King Gustav III invaded the Russian Finland  putting a start to the Russo-Swedish war 1788-1790.

The third Russo-Swedish war in 18th century (1788-1790), began as a result of the desire of Sweden to take revenge for defeat in wars with Russia in 18th century, to return the lost territory of Finland (Vyborg and Kyumenegordskaya Province), revise and cancel the treaties of Nystad and Abo. 

Taking advantage of the fact that the main Russian forces were diverted to the war with Turkey, the Swedish king Gustav III without the consent of the Riksdag began military action; a 38 000 Swedish army under the King moved to Fridrihsgam, Villmanstrand and Nyslott, and the Swedish fleet, commanded by the king's brother Duke Charles Sodermanland was ordered to attack the Russian fleet in Kronstadt.

June 21 (July 2), the enemy laid siege to the fortress of Nyslott, which was defended by Russian troops under the command of General-in-chief V. Musin-Pushkin (about 19 000 men). Despite the numerical superiority of the Swedes, they had not been able to master Nyslott and in August of1788 were forced to retreat. In future military operations were conducted mainly in the sea.

As the result of effective actions of the Russian squadron of Admiral S. K. Greig in the battle of Hogland 6 (17) July 1788 the Swedish fleet was forced to abandon the offensive and withdraw to Sveaborg.

The war was not popular in Sweden, in the army had formed the so-called Anyal Confederation of officers, natives of Finland, which, on behalf of the Finnish nobility and chivalry protested against the illegal conduct of war by Swedish King Gustav III, demanded his abdication and refused to take part in the fighting against the Russian army.

At the end of 1788 the Swedish army retreated from Fredrikshamn and Nyslott.

In July 1789 the Russian fleet under Admiral V. Y. Chichagov as a result of the battle near the island of Oland forced the Swedish fleet to go to Karlskrun. In August 1789 Russian galley fleet led by admiral K. Nassau-Siegen defeated the Swedish galley fleet under Rochensalm. Almost a year later, on June 28-29 (9-10 July) 1790, the Swedes managed to take revenge in the 2nd Rochensalm battle.

In May 1790 the Russian squadron repelled an attack by the Swedish fleet against Revel and Krasnaya Gorka and locked it in Vyborg, from where it barely managed to escape in June.

Unsuccessful outcome of the war and its unpopularity in the country   forced Gustav III to conclude Varala peace treaty on 3 (14) August 1790, which confirmed the terms of Nishtadt and Aboo treaties; Sweden had to break the alliance with Turkey.

Lit.: Веселаго Ф. Краткая история Русского Флота. М.; Л., 1939. Гл. 10. Русско-шведская война 1788–1790 гг. С. 129; То же [Электронный ресурс]. URL: http://militera.lib.ru/h/veselago_ff/10.html Похлёбкин В. В. Внешняя политика Руси, России и СССР за 1000 лет в именах, датах, фактах. Вып. 2. Кн. 1: Войны и мирные договора. М., 1995. Из содерж.: Русско-шведские войны и миры в XVIII и в начале XIX в.; То же [Электронный ресурс]. URL: http://www.kirjazh.spb.ru/biblio/pohleb/pohleb6.htm.

Based on the Presidential Library’s materials:

Брикнер А. Г. Война России с Швецией : в 1788-1790 годах. СПб., 1869.