As the team began to filter into the briefing room, Jacques stood at the front of the room. A projector screen which displayed a map of Ukraine's Odessa region, was displayed behind him.
He didn't really nervous since he had led operations few times, but considering that now he led a group of new soldiers it will be slightly different, perhaps, even though it is unlikely for them to not be prepared.
"We have a situation in Ukraine," he began. "A pro-Ukrainian political activist in the city of Odessa has been kidnapped last night by supporters of Russia's occupation force." She clicked a button on the remote control in her hand, switching the screen to reveal several photos of well-equipped Ukrainian soldiers and militia alike, posing in front of Russian flags and near few Russian soldiers. Of course, there are also photos of them with Neo-Nazi flags and Nazi salutes, among other things.
"Eyewitness reports from Odessa say the kidnappers are members of the Azov Battalion, which you can see on the screen. The Azov Battalion gained a reputation during the more active stage of the war in eastern Ukraine as having strong associations with Ukraine's far right, and many volunteers from across Europe, and indeed the world, with far right political ideologies are known to have served in this unit. They are well trained and well equipped, and are known to use Israeli weapons produced under license in Ukraine and AR-15 variants alongside the standard Kalashnikovs you expect to find in eastern Europe."
He paused briefly before continuing. "Despite their involvement in the kidnapping, it seems it was done as a more independent action and less with coordinated Russian operations. At the same time, it seems that the ones who did this were a splinter faction within Azov Battalion itself, and thus was not part of Azov Battalion itself. The Ukrainians need our help to find their hostage, and according to our intelligence network, Russians didn't approved of this. When we on the ground, we have the sub-duty for any intelligence we can gather that can prove that the Ukrainians have no involvement, same with the Russians despite what our intel said."
Jacques switched the screen with his remote control, causing the screen to now display a photo of an attractive young woman with long blonde hair. "This is our hostage, Catarina Surkov. 28 years old, graduated with a Master's Degree in Russian history this year, with plans to enter politics and possibly pursue a PhD. Her family has a military and intelligence background, with her father having served in Afghanistan as an KGB agent within the Red Army, and her brother served as an officer in Ukraine's Naval Infantry until Crimea was annexed by Russia, at which point he was transferred to the southern branch. Both men traveled to Donetsk to fight. Her father coordinating with local resistance as intelligence supporter, while her brother transporting logistics. Known to have connections with Azov Battalion, too."
"Meanwhile, Surkov herself has since been critical to Russia's involvement in their annexation and subsequent conflict with Crimea and Ukraine, and advocating for the potential assistance of United Nations for a more pro-active roles. She has also been critical of the rise of Ukraine's far right, believing that pursuing integration with Europe will only cause this problem to grow. It is needless to see why far right paramilitaries would want her gone. Also because of recent death threats and her bravery, she had been regarded as a symbol of Ukrainian resistance, hard to be proven otherwise."
Jacques closed the screen and then turned on the light. "This is a time sensitive operation. The kidnappers seriously believe Surkov to be an agent of the Ukrainian government, and are demanding that the Ukrainian government pay a ransom for her release, or she will be executed in one week. The Ukrainian government is, of course, refusing to do this despite the fact that she is a citizen of Ukraine, citing lacking of money that can be used for more military interventions."
"And this is where we come in. Ukraine's anti-terrorist units have all served in the field, and yet the government does not trust that they would want to rescue a pro-Ukrainian political activist. Of course, perhaps the other reason is because they have been busy and unable to spare more resources, except for a small team of anti-terrorist units for our reinforcement. The local police in Odessa have been working to find her, but so far do not have a confirmed location. However, they currently have one possibility. A week before the kidnapping, a large shipment of ammunition and weaponry was found at the port of Odessa, addressed to a remote castle-turned-military museum at the edge of the city. Some citizens who passed the castle saw a group of armed soldiers with a woman went into the museum. The museum itself is closed at that time, and most staffs and security guards are on holiday at that time, save for 3 staffs and 2 security guards."
