 The battle of Raate road , which occurred during the month @-@ long battle of Suomussalmi , resulted in one of the largest losses in the Winter War . The Soviet 44th and parts of the 163rd Rifle Divisions , comprising about 14 @,@ 000 troops , were almost completely destroyed by a Finnish ambush as they marched along the forest road . A small unit blocked the Soviet advance while Finnish Colonel Hjalmar <unk> and his 9th Division cut off the retreat route , split the enemy force into smaller fragments , and then proceeded to destroy the remnants in detail as they retreated . The Soviets suffered 7 @,@ 000 – 9 @,@ 000 casualties , while the Finnish units lost only 400 men . In addition , the Finnish troops captured dozens of tanks , artillery pieces , anti @-@ tank guns , hundreds of trucks , almost 2 @,@ 000 horses , thousands of rifles , and much @-@ needed ammunition and medical supplies . 
