Döbeln was initially determined to face the Russians on the islands, but changed his mind after receiving words of the coup the same day; the great disparity in numbers between the two forces was a contributing factor.

On 16 March, after a few minor skirmishes and fruitless negotiations, with the Russians advancing over Vårdö and the Föglö archipelago to encircle the Swedes, von Döbeln decided to retreat.

[4] However, the Södermanland battalion at Signilskär (475 men) and 87 Fleetwood jägers who were ordered to fight a delaying action, were cut-off and forced to surrender.

[4] The Swedish army had managed to avoid destruction, but at a very high cost; about 1,750 men were lost—almost all captured—of which more than 1,100 sick and frostbitten were left behind on the islands and on the march towards Grisslehamn.

[4] Following the summer campaign in Västerbotten, the war was concluded in the September Treaty of Fredrikshamn, with Åland and the rest of Finland being ceded to the Russian Empire.