310 years ago, on June 24, 1710, during the Great Northern War between Russia and Sweden, which lasted from 1700 to 1721, Russian troops under the command of Peter I successfully entered the Swedish fortress of Vyborg. For Peter I, the capture of Vyborg was of immense significance, as it provided Russia with access to the Baltic Sea.

The plan of action for the Russian army and navy to capture Vyborg was part of the overall campaign of 1710 in the Baltic theater. The Swedish fortress posed a constant threat to St. Petersburg and the islands of Kotlin and Kronstadt, where Peter was establishing a regular Russian fleet.

The first attempt to capture the Vyborg fortress was made in 1706, but due to poor reconnaissance, a lack of siege artillery, and unfavorable weather conditions, it was unsuccessful. Four years later, after the victory of the Russian troops at Poltava in 1709, Peter again directed forces towards Vyborg. The defeat of the Swedes at the Battle of Poltava allowed the main forces of the Russian army to be redeployed to the Baltic coast and concentrate against key Swedish naval strongholds and fortresses, such as Vyborg, Revel, Riga, and Aresburg.

In March 1710, a siege corps under the command of Admiral F. M. Apraksin made a difficult crossing over the ice of the Gulf of Finland from Kotlin Island to Vyborg. The element of surprise allowed them to capture the northwestern suburb and approach the city from the strait and the island fortress. The Russian troops cut off the roads connecting the Vyborg fortress with inland Finland, depriving the besieged of the ability to receive reinforcements.

The siege of the fortress was conducted in coordination with the fleet. Peter I decided to take advantage of the difficult ice conditions in the Gulf of Finland to bring the Russian fleet to Vyborg and preempt the arrival of the Swedish fleet to assist the besieged fortress. By May 20, the Russian fleet, consisting of over 250 ships and vessels of various types, approached the walls of Vyborg. The Swedes, arriving at the fortress only by the end of May, were unable to provide assistance to the besieged garrison.