Bair Irincheev was born in Leningrad in 1944. He completed his studies at St. Petersburg University and Stockholm University. He is an author specializing in North European studies with a primary focus on conflicts between the USSR and Finland in the 20th century. His previous publications include the studies on the Winter War, Finnish fortifications and the history of the Karelian Isthmus and Vyborg. He also manages a local Vyborg war museum.