IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles Leningrad Map Expands by 35% with New Seasons and Career Details

1C Game Studios has released Dev Blog #377 for IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles, providing specific details on the upcoming expansion of the Leningrad and Odessa maps. The update confirms that the Gulf of Finland map, which serves as the setting for the Leningrad campaign, is nearly complete and has undergone a significant geographical expansion. This development is part of a broader 2026 plan to finalize the maps and Career modes for both locations, following previous announcements regarding the Bombers expansion.

The most immediate change for simulation users is the physical size of the Leningrad theater. The Gulf of Finland map has grown in area by more than 35%, reaching a total of 86,800 km². The boundaries of the playable space have been extended to 310 km by 270 km. This expansion allows for a more comprehensive representation of the strategic depth required for the historical campaigns being developed. The city of Leningrad itself is described as fully completed, including all originally planned unique structures. New additions to the northern part of the city include large marshalling yards, vegetable warehouses, and other industrial zones, which add to the density and realism of the urban environment.

A key technical addition to the map is the introduction of three new seasonal variations. While summer and winter seasons were previously created, the developers have now completed autumn, spring, and a transitional period covering the times before and after winter. This brings the total number of seasonal states to five, ensuring that the environment reflects the specific weather conditions of the historical periods depicted in the game. This was a critical task because the two Pilot Careers in Leningrad span distinct historical eras with varying climatic conditions.

The Career mode for Leningrad is structured into two main historical arcs, comprising eight chapters in total. The first arc covers the Defense of Leningrad from 1941 to 1942. This section includes three chapters: “The Noose Tightens” (September 6, 1941, to September 25, 1941), “The Blockade” (September 26, 1941, to January 6, 1942), and “The Lyuban Offensive” (January 7, 1942, to April 30, 1942). The second arc focuses on the Liberation of Leningrad in 1944, which consists of five chapters: “January Thunder” (January 14, 1944, to February 2, 1944), “The Narva Bridgehead” (February 3, 1944, to April 23, 1944), “Preparations for the Offensive” (April 24, 1944, to June 8, 1944), “The Vyborg Offensive” (June 9, 1944, to July 23, 1944), and “The Narva Offensive” (July 24, 1944, to September 4, 1944).

The development team states that an extensive research effort lasting more than a year has been completed for these Careers. This research covers the operations of aviation units across all the listed episodes. Work is currently underway to implement this historical data into the simulator and to refine the combat histories of the air regiments. The goal is to ensure that the player experience aligns with the specific operational realities of the time periods.

In terms of player progression, the two Careers will offer a substantial number of squadrons. A total of 72 player-accessible squadrons will be available in the Leningrad campaign, while the Odessa campaign will feature 73. This volume of content suggests a long-term engagement model for players interested in historical flight simulation. The variety of squadrons is intended to provide different perspectives on the air operations during the Siege of Leningrad and its subsequent liberation.

The map expansion also includes the addition of 12 new unique historical structures. These objects are located in Leningrad, Kronstadt, and on Lake Ladoga. This addition brings the total number of such unique objects on the map to 57. Specific examples of the new structures include the Bronze Horseman monument, depicted with protective scaffolding, the Monument to Nicholas I, also shown with protective scaffolding, and the Tolbukhin Lighthouse. The inclusion of scaffolding on major monuments reflects the historical context of wartime preservation efforts.

The Odessa map is also part of this 2026 completion plan, though the current Dev Blog focuses primarily on the Leningrad details. The developers have previously announced that both maps and their respective Career modes are targeted for completion in 2026. This timeline provides a clear expectation for when these features will be available to the public. The focus on detailed historical accuracy, from the specific dates of chapters to the physical expansion of the map, indicates a continued commitment to high-fidelity simulation in the IL-2 Sturmovik series.

For users of the simulation, these updates mean a larger, more varied, and historically detailed environment. The increase in map size and the addition of multiple seasons will affect flight planning and visual immersion. The detailed career structure offers a guided historical narrative, allowing players to experience specific phases of the Eastern Front conflict. The completion of the Leningrad map and the ongoing work on Odessa represent a significant portion of the upcoming content for the game.