In 1809 Sweden lost Finland to Russia which meant that the whole Karelian population came under the same flag, with Finland, however, becoming an autonom Grand Duchy within the Russian empire.

As a part of the Russian empire Finland acquired a greater degree of independence than earlier. Finland was allowed to keep its constitution, its laws and its Lutheran faith.

On December 23rd, 1811 emperor Alexander I issued a decree to add the Finnish region (Russian lands), which also included the Kexholm land, to the Grand Duchy of Finland (thus making these lands officially not a part of Russia, but a part of Finland within the Russian empire). After that the border of the Duchy of Finland was moved to the town of Sestroretsk.

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