The Zapadnaya Litsa (Russian: Западная Лица; German: Sapadnaja Liza; Finnish: Litsajoki) is a river in the north of the Kola Peninsula in Murmansk Oblast, Russia.

[1] The Zapadnaya Litsa River originates on the Kuchintundra and flows into the Barents Sea.

From 1941 to 1944, the Litsa River formed the Arctic frontline between German and Finnish troops west of the river – trying to capture Murmansk – and Soviet troops on the east, defending the city.

This frontier was of vital importance for both sides, as Murmansk was the only Soviet harbour left in Europe and the northern route to Murmansk and Arkhangelsk supplied the Soviet Union with approximately 25% of all lend-lease aid.

[2] During the stalemate that lasted four years, thousands perished in the tundras on both sides of the river.