Iivo Ahava (born Afanasev; 19 February 1896 – 16 April 1919) was a Karelian-born Finnish military officer and nationalist who supported the idea of an independent East Karelia.

During the Allied North Russia Intervention, Ahava served as a lieutenant in the British organized units of Murmansk Legion and Karelian Regiment.

From 23 March to 18 April, Ahava fought against the Finnish Whites who had launched their Viena expedition to annex parts of East Karelia into the newly independent Finland.

However, the Red Guard general staff in Helsinki was not interested in his intentions as they considered that the war would be determined in the populated areas of southern Finland, instead of the remote Lapland.

[5] As the Allies launched the North Russia Intervention in June 1918, Ahava's Red Guard was left between the British troops and the Russian White Army.

Ahava and his companion Aleksi Tuorila negotiated with the Allies, the issue was resolved after the British formed the Murmansk Legion of the Finnish Reds.

[6] Ahava served the Murmansk Legion as a lieutenant-ranked Royal Navy officer, but he soon realized that his service was incompatible with his personal interests on the matter of East Karelia.

In 17–18 February, Ahava participated the meeting of Karelian National Congress in Kem, with Oskari Tokoi as his political advisor.

[4] On 16 April, the British lieutenant Robinson took Ahava by train to the village of Popov Porog and escorted him in front of the Allied outpost.