| Kollaa | |
| Name Other: | Russian: Колласйоки, Finnish: Kollaanjoki |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Russia |
| Subdivision Type3: | Region |
| Subdivision Name3: | Republic of Karelia |
| Length: | 76km (47miles) |
| Source1: | Lake Kollasjärvi |
| Source1 Elevation: | 117m (384feet) |
| Mouth: | Lake Tulmozero |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 61.672°N 32.2337°W |
| Progression: | Lake Tulmozero→ Tulemayoki→ |
The Kollaa (Russian: Колласйоки, Finnish: Kollaanjoki or Finnish: Kollasjoki) is a 76km (47miles) long river in the Republic of Karelia, Russia. It starts from Lake Kollasjärvi in the Suoyarvsky District and flows to Lake Tulmozero (Finnish: Tulemajärvi) in the Pryazhinsky District.
Before World War II, the source of the river was a part of the Finnish municipality Suistamo and it flowed further through Suojärvi to Tulemajärvi on the Russian side.
During the Winter War in 1939, the area was a scene of the Battle of Kollaa.[1] The river became part of Finnish history, as the Red Army failed to break through there. A memorable quote, "Kollaa holds" (Finnish: Kollaa kestää), became a legendary motto for the Finns.[1] The river and area are associated with the exploits of the Finnish marksman Simo Häyhä, dubbed "the White Death",[2] the gunman with the highest number of confirmed kills in any major war. Captain Aarne Juutilainen, dubbed "the Terror of Morocco", was also remarkable figure in the battle.[3] The battle areas around the river are a preserved monument and tourist site.[4]
The asteroid 1929 Kollaa is named after the river.[5]