How world’s deadliest ever sniper ‘The White Death’ shot dead 500 Russians in chilling history lesson for Vladimir Putin

VLADIMIR Putin makes no secret of his desire to return his country to the glory days of the Soviet Union standing as a superpower. But over a decade before his birth, his beloved Red Army was terrorized by a single Finnish sniper – dubbed the world’s deadliest. The White Death managed to slaughter 500 Russian soldiers during the Winter War BNPSSimo Hayha earned his spot as a national hero in Finland thanks to his sniper skills[/caption] Simo Hayha, ominously known on the battlefield as The White Death, shot dead over 500 Russian soldiers during the Winter War. Donning his signature white hooded snowsuit, he nestled himself amongst the thick snow and remained motionless until he spotted his prey. Despite his kill list remaining a point of national pride for Finland, Putin doesn’t seem afraid of rattling the next generation of Hayha’s. He was left seething after being given the cold shoulder by the Nordic nation ahead of their NATO bid. READ MORE ON WORLD NEWS HEAVEN CENT I can prove I’m world’s oldest man as I turn 113… here's my secret to long life STAN-DING GROUND World's oldest tennis player, 97, refuses to leave Ukraine amid invasion Finland have abandoned their notoriously neutral reputation to align themselves on the right side of history, despite Russia warning it would be a “mistake”. Even as Russia rolled nuclear missiles towards their shared border, Helsinki hasn’t been scared away from pursuing its bold NATO strategy. It seems power-mad Putin needs a history lesson on their exceptional ability to play the long game and excel in Europe. Sniper Simo Hayha personified the country’s incredible resilience during the brief but bloody Winter War in 1939. Most read in The Sun LVIV AT FIRST SIGHT I dumped partner for Ukrainian refugee days after she moved in with us AISLE BE DAMNED Cause of Sainsbury’s panic revealed as shoppers faint in ‘horror scene' STEP IN TIME Where Mary Poppins cast are now - from tragic death at 21 to £35m fortune CHIC SHORTS I’m a midsize 14 with a big tummy & bum – I’ve found the most flattering shorts COOK UP A STORM Woman lists air-fryer for sale on eBay - but the pics have everyone talking VIRAL SPREAD Monkeypox outbreak doubles as a further 11 cases identified, Javid confirms The magnificent marksman – who perfected his abilities by hunting animals in the woods where he was raised – patiently lay in wait for enemy troops in stinging temperatures of -40C. Standing at just 5ft 2inches tall, the sprightly sniper used his height to also earn the title of hide and seek champion. Hayha remained motionless – with his finger on the trigger – for hours on end, with only his trusty rifle to turn to. He became a monstrous myth among Russian soldiers, who tried to circumvent the snow chameleon for a fearful 98 days. The infamous assassin was only eventally hauled from the frontline on a sledge after being shot by a bullet in his cheek. But it wasn’t before he stained the snow with the blood of Soviet soldiers, averaging five kills per day. BNPSThe marksman’s unbelievable shot and knowledge of the terrain made him a fearful opponent[/caption] Although Russians disfigured his face after blasting through his cheek and lower jaw, he survived – and became an image that remains ingrained in their minds. His unbelievable feat in the Winter War is still celebrated today in Finland, while he lingers as a cautionary tale for Putin’s men. It seems history may now be repeating itself, as Putin’s botched invasion of Ukraine has again flagged the limitations of the Russian military. Their sluggish performance and outdated tactics allow their enemy to easily outpace them – resulting in catastrophic losses. Although on paper Russian troops drastically outnumber Ukrainians, and the Finns during the Winter War, their combat abilities are cumbersome. The Russian President seems to be following in the footsteps of his impatient Soviet predecessor. Both conflicts racked up a mammoth number of Russian casualties in just a small amount of time – as they favour weapons over tactics. Putin seems to be as wildly optimistic as Joseph Stalin when it comes to invading their neighbours, believing they would quickly secure victory. But both the tyrants’ lack of knowledge of what is going on on the ground leads to a drastic dip in morale and unclear strategies. Initial advantages were soon clawed back by their opponents, and their invaluable knowledge of their home terrains proves pivottal. Read More on The Sun PLANE PAIN I’m a flight attendant and there are five kinds of passengers I hate the most POOR PETE! Gogglebox star Pete Sandiford supported by fans as he bursts into tears on TV The pair were motivated by their desire to seize more international influence – but Ukraine advantageously have the rest of Europe on their team. If the Winter War is anything to go off, Ukraine must simply continue in their fight to remain sovereign – just as Finland still is today. GettyRussian troops were unprepared for the Winter War, similarly to their mistakes in Ukraine[/caption]