Interesting discussion. Sarmatian, as it seems that your verdict on the performance of Soviet forces during 1941 is best to say abysmal and that you are under the assumption that their capabilities conducting operations was less then desirable.

In that light. How would you portray the efforts of Soviet Unions Leningrad, Karelian and Volkhov fronts?

As far as i know The Karelian front, pretty much stopped the AOK Norwegen dead on their tracks at the direction of Murmansk, while Leningrad front held their ground with notorius determination. Never mind maybe the first strategic victory of Soviet Union achieved by Leningrad and Volkhov fronts at Tikhvin, which resulted in German failure to connect with Finnish army at River Svir and most likely saved the entire Northern direction, Leningrad, Murmansk and Arkangelsk included.