During the initial phase of the Soviet-Finnish War, Red Army units engaged in intense combat and sustained significant casualties, including losses of armored vehicles. Many vehicles were damaged in combat or got stuck, leaving them unable to retreat with the infantry. There was no time to evacuate them. The Finns, lacking their own tank industry, treated any armored vehicles with care, repairing abandoned vehicles and putting them into service. Among the captured vehicles were Soviet KV-1 heavy tanks. At least two captured units are known: The KV-1E and the KV-1 Model 1942. With their thick armor and good protection, these tanks proved useful to the Finns for breaking through Soviet positions and in defensive battles toward the end of the war. Both Finnish KVs survived the war and are now on display at the tank museum in Parola.

The Finnish KV-1 m1942 was introduced in Update 2.39 "Dance of the Dragons", as a part the Swedish ground research tree. It is a heavily armored tank with good mobility and high gun penetration. However, the vehicle has poor turning ability and slow reverse. Moreover, any experienced tanker knows how to penetrate the KV's turret.