The Bear and the Eagle (Atlas-Only/MT/IC)

by **West Aurelia** » Fri Dec 18, 2015 6:38 am

The Riverside Times

Hayes calls for peace in Seversk crisis

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Ruslan Ivanov (@RuslanTRT)
^{Friday, Decemeber 18, 2015 | 20:58 | Riverside, West Aurelia}

President Stephen Hayes gestures during a press conference, December 18, 2015.
Photo courtesy of The Riverside Times

RIVERSIDE – President Stephen Hayes has today called for a peaceful resolution to the brewing tensions in the disputed Seversk region. Sparked by the murder of an Elesarian family by alleged Stasnovan perpetrators, the crisis put the region on the brink of war with the downing of a Stasnovan fighter aircraft which allegedly strayed into Elesarian airspace, reprisal attacks by Stasnovan artillery, and the deployment of Elesarian tanks to the Stasnovan-controlled half of Cherkesk.

Hayes stressed the importance of diplomacy and offered to host peace talks in Riverside. "I call on Elesar to immediately withdraw from Stasnovan Cherkesk. Such an act, and others like it, is provocative and unnecessary," he said.

"Both sides need to exercise restraint and avoid further escalating the already tense situation. It is in the national interests of both nations to avoid war. Mr. Krasnov, Mr. Antaryanov: think about the young men and women serving your country and whether you are willing to send them to die in a war that can be avoided through constructive diplomacy. That, not bloodshed, is the mark of a true leader. The city of Riverside is always ready to host peace talks should both sides decide to demonstrate their commitment to diplomacy over violence and war."

Hayes, who has placed a strong emphasis on upholding worldwide peace during his four years in office, albeit to mixed results, also offered condolences and called for an independent, transparent investigation into the murder of the Tulev family and subsequent anti-Stasnovan reprisal attacks.

"Both sides need to aggressively prosecute any crimes against innocent civilians, regardless of the ethnicities of the perpetrators or victims," he said. "Anything less would call into serious question the impartiality of the relevant prosecuting authority."

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by **Rodstov** » Fri Dec 18, 2015 8:03 am

Rodstov/Stasnov Border
0856hours /2015/12/18
1st Guards Tank Division / 9th Guards Rifles / Major Eva Koudelkov

Major Koudelkov rode in the back of her BMP-K1D Command Variant APC she was with her second Captian Michal Vrablik, They were both veterans of Zerra and the Southern Flank Civil Wars and their country had just recently put down a capitalist rebellion which thankfully didn't have a whole lot going for it and now they were in this tiny tank driving across the border to help their friends in Serversk. They would be "on point" and be the first unit to enter Serversk and it would take the better part of the week to get them all poised and ready. Though from what they heard Stasnovan Divisions were already there and they would push in and take the whole region with out them if they didn't hurry. Eva had sent her Recce platoon to out ride the Regiment to cordon off traffic so they could get there column of APC's through. Her Recce Platoon were using BRDM-3's and GAZ-233014's to speedily get to the next intersection just in the nick of time to get the traffic out of the way.

The BMP-D1's and BMP-P1D's that they were using were up armored with extra KRANK plating however they were not vehicles of engineering brilliance. Eva wished she was back in her AMV-1 Marshall however After their absorption of the old Soviet Slavic states around them AFRG commanders of old were being positioned among the dim satellite state armies to make them better. This annoyed Eva enough that she usually took it out on the older model vehicles. Which included the tank she was now riding in.

"Kus Hovna!" Eva swore loudly smacking the side of the radio with the flat of her hand. "Nenávidím tento kus nevyžádané rádia!"

"Major?" the Captain inquired looking up from his station on the other side of the BMP. Since passengers faced away from each other in a Soviet styled BMP The interior of the BMP had to accommodate the communications systems and maps for the two of them. This ended up sealing one side of the BMP and using it as storage and to hold communications equipment. and the command team shared the other side of the tank which wasn't a lot.

"Never mind me Captian I'm getting some air, Try and see if you can raise Alfa-0-1 on the long range." Eva said reaching up and opening the hatch above her.

"Yes ma'am." said and reached over and attempted to coax the radio to work for him.

The BMP-K1D had the extra plating like the others however there was only enough room for 5 crew. Three were that of the BMP's combat crew that used the 28A2 28mm Cannon, PKP 7.62 x 54mm Medium Machine gun and the 11K9 9M41 Guided Missile launcher strapped ontop of the 28A2. The Commander of the tank crew Sargent Blasius Aksyonov and Jr.Sgt. Lima Cherkasova both standing out of their hatches chatting to each outer and sharing a water canteen. When the noticed the Major they stopped talking and moved to ready their positions however raised a hand and smiled and spoke.

"Were okay don't worry," She said, "The damn radio wont be though."

The two sergeants laughed with the Major as the convoy rode through a small rural town. It would be some time before they would reach their destination. The 9th would take the better part of the day to get to the border then they would follow along the border to Seversk coming in from the south securing the small border in the Seversk region between Lake Onega and the invisable line that marked the end of the Seversk region and the one next to it. the 17th Guards Anti-air Company would follow a day after with 12th Guards Anti-tank Company. Then the 1st Ind. Tank Regiment would then arrive a few days later with the 10th Guards MLRS Company with their MB-12's. Their unit would assault the southern flank around Lake Onega if the Elsarians made a push for Cherkesk. The 1st Guards would then push in and make hit and run attacks on their supplies until the Stasnovans broke through the attack. In case if the Elsarians had the same idea if they attacked first they would attempt to hold until the Stasnov Divisions broke through the they would attempt to encircle any Elsarians to slow in their tactical withdrawal. Though Eva would believe it if she had her Whole unit with her. She was forced by high command to leave her... more advanced vehicles in the depot along with two whole regiments.
She would ask high command again after they arrived in Seversk if they could be deployed. She would be a lot happier if she was riding in a BMP-V3KA than her current arrangements.

STASNOVAN HIGH COMMAND EYES ONLY

Code: Select all: |Encoded Message: Code VESNA-ALFA-ZERO | |\\ Linking with Server | |\\ Established Connection | |-Message as follows.... | |=> Stasnov High Command |<= United Socialist Federation of Rodstov - USFAF High Command | |We are Deploying the First Guards Regiment from Astrakvikovska to assist with your current situation in Seversk. |We have the 1st Marine, 40th Tank and 306th Astrakvikovskian Motorized Regiments deployed as well to your |northern border to assist with those Roskian lovers as well and will redeploy as needed. | |Stand strong Stasnov we can beat them back. | |Message ends | |Link is open for response.

by **Stasnov** » Fri Dec 18, 2015 5:16 pm

Seversk Oblast, Krasnaya Socialist Republic, United Socialist Republics of Stasnov
Stasnovan Cherkesk
126th Motor Rifle Battalion, 42nd Guards Motor Rifle Regiment, 19th Guards Motor Rifle Division
1224 hours

It was cold. Too fucking cold. The city's administration had kindly offered an old, abandoned high schoool lying in a state of disrepair to accomodate the troops of the 42nd Guards Motor Rifle Regiment's 126th Motor Rifle Battalion, which was part of the 19th Guards Motor RIfle Division, deployed in Stasnovan Cherkesk. The high schoool was built by the Elesarian government back in the Socialist era, and was rather good for its time, but, being right on the border within the city, it was abandoned when the Stasnovans established their rule over half of the region, and new, more modern buildings were built inside Stasnovan territory to replace it.

The men of the 126th MRB were more than happy when the Kombat (Battalion Commander) announced that they received a new baracks within the city. They would finally be deployed somwhere better than the cold hellhole that was their FOB outside the capital. But they were unpleasantly suprised when they arrived at the place. Broken windows letting all the cold wind in, cracked walls, and such other such issues made the soldiers' life harder than it was in the FOB. Well, at least they weren't sleeping in tents anymore. Heaters were placed anywere possible - as many as the Supply Platoon could get - and even fires were lit. In some cases, the soldiers tried to restore the buidling's heating system, but to no avail.

Corporal Vasilily Masorin along with three other soldiers had just finished their guard duty, and they went inside. They had gathered around a heater, along with what has rougly an entire platoon worth of soldiers, to warm themselves up. The Regiment had ordered them to put out any fires, so large groups of troopers gathered around individual heaters. It was the Division's orders. Well, fuck the Division's orders. That's most of these men and women were thinking. But they still wouldn't go against them, unless they wanted to be paid a visit by the Regimental Commissar.

"So, anything new guys" the 19 year-old Masorin asked with a smile on his face, as he rubbed his arms.

The only response he took was the frustrated, tired looks of his comrades gathered around him. The smile on Masorin's face was erased as he buried his face in the thick winter clothing. How long is this fucking cold gonna last he thought. Even for Seversk's standards, the sudden arrival of such cold weather so soon was unusual. Standing next to a window some metres next to them, looking at the checkpoint on the border outside, were Captains Nikolai Romanov and Alexander Petrov, COs of 3rd and 4th Companies, respectively. Romanov, as always, was smoking a cigarette. They were discussing quietly, and Masorin couldn't hear them. He just returned to his thoughts. Mere seconds later, he had fallen asleep next to his comrades.

He was waken up rather unpleasantly two or three minutes later, by an explosion outside, that rocked the building. He saw Romanov tossing what was left from his cigarette, and unslinging his AK-74M, before running away from the window yelling

"They have crossed the border! The checkpoint has been attacked! We have multiple Elesarian tanks on the road!"

The intercomms were flooded with reports from guard posts that were engaged by the enemy and NCOs that were stating the situation of their men. Masorin jumped up and grabbed his PKP Pecheneg general purpose machine gun, as he starting running to the closest window to take point. Private Artyom Gorbachev, the machine gunner assistant, a rifleman that was carrying the extra ammo for Masorin's PKP, followed up closely. Masorin deployed his bipod, checked the belt and pulled the charging handle back before even seeing what was outside the window. What he saw made him shudder. He could clearly see at least four Elesarian tanks, T-90s, he assumed, rolling on the road, while infantry was deploying in shops and such buidlings behind them. The room was rocked as anti-tank gunners were firing their RPG-29s some metres next to him. He concentrated, took a deep breath, and rested his sights on a caffeteria that he saw enemy troops entering. He started firing short burts, before firing longer ones.. The whole 126th MRB - rougly 525 men - was giving the Elesarians hell. The bursts from the assault rifles, the roar of the machine guns and the thunder of the RPGs, as well as the occasional shots from DMRs and sniper rifles filled the area, as the whole place was lit up in tracers.

The Battalion HQ had been already informed than the entire 19th Guards Motor RIfles Division that was stationed in Cherkesk was mobilised for combat operations. There were also promises for air support. The Battle for Cherkesk, and the War for Seversk had begun.

Seversk Oblast, Krasnaya Socialist Republic, United Socialist Republics of Stasnov
Kuznetsov AFB
1225 hours

The Brystic help had arrived. And it arrived rather quickly. The Stavka estimated that it would take more than a week for the promised troops to get to Seversk, but the Brystic military turned out to be much more competent than that. The Confederate Brytisc Fleet sent the Anglaland Prairie "Rangers" Regiment, abbreviated 2nd RIDER, to aid the Stasnovan Armed Forces in Seversk. The Brystic light infantry, with their lack of heavy armor, seemed unusual to the Stasnovan Motor Rifle commanders, whose Regiments' were heavy combined arms formations of mechanised infantry, artillery, air defence and armor. Despite this, and while some Stasnovan commanders didn't think high of the Brystic Rangers, the Stavka greately appreciated the help, which was also seen as a diplomatic move to strengthen the friendship between Stasnov and Brytene.

Three GAZ Tigrs rolled into the side of the runway, and stopped some metres next to the members of the general staff of the 2nd Rangers. The doors opened, and several Stasnovan officers got out, escorted by armed soldiers in full digital flora combat gear. The walked up to the Brystic commanders, as a massive Mi-26 flew above them to land in a helipad not far from there, with its huge tail rotors producing a defeaning sound. The Stasnovans saluted the Brytons, and one of them took a step forward and offered to shake the hand of who seemed to be the Brystic Colonel. The Stasnovan was in his fifties, with grey hair and dark green eyes.

"Comrade, i am Colonel Alexander Konoplev, commanding officer of the 8th Guards Motor Rifle Regiment, 3rd Guards Motor Rifle Division" he spoke with a thick Stasnovan accent "This is Commissar Kharitonov, the Regimental political officer" he introduced a man that wore a Commissar cap and leather jacket with the markings of the 3rd Directorate of the Commissariat of Military Intelligence over his digi flora uniform "And this Major Vasilenko, my XO"

Both of the men that were introduced nodded in respect, but Commissar Kharitonov had a certain grinn on his face.

"Comrade Colonel, we are looking forward to working with you in case the Elesarian imperialists try something against our Motherland" Konoplev said and smiled "I'm sure our cooperation will be more than resourceful"

Code: Select all: |Encoded Message of the Stasnovan military | |-Message as follows.... | |=> United Socialist Federation of Rodstov - USFAF High Command |<= Stavka - High Command of the Stasnovan Armed Forces | |Confirmed. We are glad to have you on our side comrades. |Our combined forces, as well as the forces of the Confederate Brystic Fleet |will be more than enough to push back any Elesarian attack. |The FOB of the 19th Guards Motor Rifle Division outside our side of Cherkesk has been expanded |and is ready to accomodate your forces. | | |Message ends | |Link is open for response.

by **Brytene** » Sun Dec 20, 2015 12:03 pm

Seversk Oblast, Krasnaya Socialist Republic, United Socialist Republics of Stasnov
Kuznetsov AFB
1229 hours

A grey-haired Colonel stepped forwards, introducing himself as one Colonel Konoplev, flanked by his political officer and his XO. Colonel Hearst shook the proffered hand as he introduced himself, as well as his own XO, RSM Julia Beauregard, a tall ash-blonde woman with tanned skin that spoke of long days spent working outdoors, crows feet around her eyes which did not match the rest of her smooth skin as a result of years spent squinting against strong sunlight and snow glare alike.

The 2nd Rangers were all wearing tigerstripe snow camo, coming from the high hills of central Anglaland which were wide, dusty plains for half the year and sprawling white wastes for the other half, and they moved with professional hustle in the background. Colonel Hearst himself was a thickly-built man of a medium height, with a lazy drawling accent and a scratchy grey beard that settled over a long face with a strong nose and heavy brow.

"Pleasure to be here Colonel. Colonel George Hearst at your service, and this is RSM Julia Beauregard. Fleet Command figured Elesar would be up to something stupid soon enough, so they sent us to see what we can do for you. We also come with a passel of Rangers, a dozen over there led by one Major Kelso, but we won't need them unless things get real messy."

He turned to squint back at the first two battalions of the Anglaland Prairie Regiment, assembling on the broad concrete of the airport.
"We're light infantry, plenty of mechanized and motorised troops, but we're a little light on heavy armour. Where can we be of most use to you?"

by **Stasnov** » Tue Dec 22, 2015 6:52 am

Seversk Oblast, Krasnaya Socialist Republic, United Socialist Republics of Stasnov
Kuznetsov AFB
1231 hours

Colonel Konoplev smiled. The Brystic seemed proffessional and sympathetic to the Stasnovan cause. The Brystic Colonel, a heavily built, bearder man was introduced as George Hearst, before he introduced his own XO, Regimental Sergeant Major, Julia Beauregard, a tall, blondem and rather tough looking female officer. As the Brystic Colonel spoke and his men gathered behind him, Konoplev took a sharp look at the twelve Rangers sitting separately from the rest of the Brystic Regiment.

They were all heavily built and obviously had enough experience in combat. He was sure that Commissar Kharitonov and his friends in the Varyag KVR, the Special Purpose Forces of the Commissariat of Military Intelligence, would be rather interested in their services. While the Varyag KVR were in most cases subcoordinate to Army Command, they answered to the Commissariat, and only the Commissariat. Their commanders, as well as their superiors, would be more than interested to work with foreign SOF personnel.

"I see, Comrade Colonel" Konoplev replied "I am affraid that your Rangers will be needed in case a conflict actually erupts" the 54 year-old Stasnovan colonel grinned "As for you, your Regiment's Battalions would be rather useful as a combat recon force. We can supplament your lack of heavy formations with our-"

Konoplev's voice was interupted by the sirens of the Base. Something was wrong. Company after company of troops were exiting their barracks, assembling and mounting on their transports. Several aircraft, moslty MiG-29SMTs, VeK-29Ms and MiG-31BM fighters, as well as Su-25SM and Su-24M2 assault and strike aircraft, were being marshaled out of their hangars, before they started taxiing towards the airstrip for immidieate scrambling. Flights of Mi-24s and Mi-28Ns were also preparing for take off, with some already having taken off.

Konoplev's radio operator ran up to him, breathing heavily.

"Comrade Colonel sir! Elesarian tanks and infantry have crossed the border within Seversk! We have orders from the Divisions: all regiments and battalions are to report at Point Elena and prepare for combat operations. All Divisions are mobilising towards the border"

The soldier's words were muffled as two fully loaded Mi-24VPs flew above the men, and the engines of numerous aircraft preparing to take off on the runway produced a loud noise.

Konoplev turned to the Brystic Colonel again "Colonel, it seems that it has already began. Order your troops to mount up. You're coming with us"

Konoplev sharply turned around, followed by his officers and soldiers and entered the Tigr waitting for him, before the three cars drove away. Over 45 aircraft and 30 helicopters were taking off in fast succession, including a A-50 Beriev AWACs and a Il-78 aerial refuelling tanker.

by **Brytene** » Tue Dec 22, 2015 2:11 pm

Seversk Oblast, Krasnaya Socialist Republic, United Socialist Republics of Stasnov
Kuznetsov AFB
1231 hours

Hearst raised an eyebrow at the commotion; he would be surprised, but as the saying went 'when it rains, it pours', and so he turned to RSM Beauregard. She looked back at him for a moment and he made a shrugging gesture, as if to say 'well?'. She nodded and turned sharply, striding back towards the rest of the general staff and circling her index finger in the air, the universal sign for take-off.

Within minutes, the 2nd Regiment of the Confederate Brytisc Fleet was mounting up, on a variety of vehicles ranging from heavy amphibious FV81 Tigers to light Nihtgenga armoured cars, and everything inbetween. Their engineering and support units were in the heart of the long formation, flanked by the regiment's two heavy Woden II MBT's, whilst a sprinkling of Stappa light tanks stiffened the armoured convoy.

Even as they moved, Brytisc battlefield control officers began liasing with the Stasnovans. Co-ordination would be necessary to avoid friendly fire and to keep the Brytisc regiment where it was needed, as well as to integrate them into the Stasnovan supply and logistical network and give them access to Stasnovan air cover and support. The Anglaland Prairie Regiment was a light infantry regiment and had little air power of its own, and would need support from the soviet air force.

The Rangers followed in a flatbed truck, an old model from the 70s with a gas-guzzling diesel engine and a long cab. It was necessary to carry the several crates of specialist equipment that they had brought with them, everything from miniature drones to anti-materiel rifles, explosives to electronic warfare systems and more.

Beauregard glanced over at Hearst as they rumbled through the Stasnovan countryside, part of a huge procession of Stasnovan and Brytisc vehicles heading towards an unknown rally point. The weather was already in the minus temperatures outside, and the brief moments they had spent on the tarmac had left the tips of her hair and the bristles of his beard frosted with ice. She knew better than to ask frivolous questions - Hearst would not take anger, he simply wouldn't bother answering, so instead she turned her attention back to the road, but privately she wondered about the wisdom of wading in to this war between Elesar and Stasnov. If Elesar had openly crossed the border, then this could become a bloodbath real quick, with Brytisc marines stuck right in the middle of it...

by **New Elesar** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 2:30 am

Seversk Oblast, Disputed Territory
Stasnovan Cherkesk

The fighting around the old high school had certainly escalated in the few minutes since it had started. One of the Stasnovan's anti-tank weapons had detracked one of the T-90's, leaving it essentially immobilized in the middle of the road. This, however, did not mean its gun had been disabled. All four of the T-90's in the area had been consistently firing shells into the Stasnovan positions with varying degrees of success, scoring several good hits on the building itself.

Outside of the tanks, the infantry were experiencing a less than optimal amount of success. In a small cafe across from the school, a squad of men from the 3rd Motor Rifle Regiment took cover behind the restaurant's counter. They had taken some casualties from the MG nest on the second floor and had been pinned down for a good while. However, Senior Sergeant Viktor Krupin had begun to formulate a plan that would hopefully allow his men to not only escape but also take out the MG in the process.

Viktor was well liked among his men, regardless of his coming from Elesar's nobility. The 34 year-old's family had been elevated to the status of lower nobles after the 1987 revolution, and as such had a particular disdain for the Stasnovans. Even though his men had come from the common people, they had warmed up to Viktor and had essentially been accepted as one of their own. But now, he had to make a difficult decision; one of his men might die because of his orders. Shaking his head, Viktor got back into the action.

Petropov, Utkin, Popov, get over here! I've got a job for you!"

"Yes sir, Starshiy Serzhant?"

"I need you three to run across the street to that wall across from the school. While you run, the rest of the squad and I will lay down covering fire. When you're halfway there, toss a grenade up into that MG nest! Think you can do that, Yefreytor?"

"Yes, Serzhant!"

With that, the three young men began to start running across the street. Viktor took up a position behind the counter and began laying down covering fire with his AKM as the other squad members opened up with their own assault rifles and a single PKP. Petropov, Utkin, and Popov made it across the street, a single RGO grenade thrown into the window next to where the Stasnovan MG had been.

It was then that Viktor realized the growing warmth in his shoulder, followed by a searing pain that caused him to collapse behind his makeshift cover. He'd been hit. He passed out. When he woke up, he was behind Elesarian lines being tended to by the female auxiliary nurse units.

In the other regions of Seversk, however, things were much more peaceful. As no official declaration of war had been made by either party, Elesarian troops had remained on their side of the border everywhere but Cherkesk. In other regions of Elesar, however, air support was being prepared for the men fighting in Cherkesk, largely consisting of CAS Su-25's and SU-35 fighters with at least one Tu-95 bomber squadron being deployed in the region.

by **Rodstov** » Tue Dec 29, 2015 9:30 pm

1st Gds Tank Division/ South of Lake Onega / Dec. 26th 2015

Fighting had started in Stasnovan Cherkesk three days ago as Elesar opened up with fighting in Cherkesk. The Major now stood in a what she would have called an half assed FOB with all her units now accounted for excluding the 8th Guards and the 2nd Independent Tank Regiment. Both units had the up to date Rodstovian/Stasnovian upgraded armor. Though both countries worked separately on the their projects Rostov and Stasnov had seen a share of sharing the tech for some time now. It was seen when Stasnov bought the T-100 Class MBT for research purposes.

The new T-114 Armtra MBT "Object 169" was sent to her regiment for "war proofing" which was common for each tank made to have it battle hardened before it was ready for purchase. They were sent to have enemy rounds shot at them to prove their worth and Rodstov was actively finding newer and scarier things to cook up in their Proving Grounds workshops in Rodstov. However this deployment to be sent to active status but remain in Astrakvikovska. Which annoyed Eva. She liked all of her toys and would have preferred using them.

She looked at the map in front of her. This wasn't the up to date electronic map program that was available to her when she was commanding the 14th Mechanized out in Zerra. She had crappy equipment and physical maps instead of the strike operations package that she was able to use the AMV's and the MRT's that she had before.

Her second took note of this, Captain Vrablik was to replace her once he knew everything she knew about strategy and tactics this would be the first and only deployment with her and he wanted her going back to Rodstov happy that she had left the 1st Guard in good hands.

"Ma'am?" Vrablik spoke softly. This caused Eva to look at him, the look she gave him looked like she was asking him to speak.

"Orders, ma'am?" he said with a slightly stronger tone, "The 1st Astrakvikovska Guards are awaiting your command, we are all here and accounted for."

Vrablik was a Seasoned tank commander with almost a full 10 years of service in his regions military. He was born to a military bloodline though his mother was that of a Noble. He was eager to learn from her. Although he knew he wanted her to be happy but it was down right foolish to charge right in. For all they knew Elesar didn't know they were prepared to roll over the border and attempt the identified 15th Motor Division and any other divisions off guard with a wide flank deployment. It would take time for them to adjust their main combat troops for that encounter.

However Intel had told them that it seemed that Elesar was looking to capture the Stasnovan side of the city. That there was no other units to speak of besides border guard troops that is. This would be a bad assumption if there was others and they remained blind to it. Launch UAV's would be their 1st priority to get intel on the border which was a short 10 km's away from where they set up. They also should let their Stasnovan friends their intent.

"Captain Launch a 'Drakon' UAV and send word that the 1st Guard will be conducting a probe of enemy lines to the south. If we think their soft enough we are going to punch through and flank around the lake." Eva said as she stood up tall and her hands on her hips. " Also have the MB-12's and the MB-72's be prepared to support this movement. Have them spread out in a north to south fashion in their platoons. We want to be able to pound the Elesarians if they are their in force. The 9th Guard will conduct the probe with the 12th, 17th, and 1st Indpendants will roll over after the 9th if its soft to sweep a side any resistance."

"Yes Ma'am" the Captain replied and he exited the tent finding the commanders of the 1st Guards waiting outside.

"Time to get the salt out ladies and gentlemen!" the Captain spoke before relaying the commands to the rest of commanders.

by **Stasnov** » Sat Jan 09, 2016 7:52 pm

Operational and tactical overview - Day 1

That was it. The Elesarians made their move. The KVR's First Directorate (Commissariat of Military Intelligence - Intelligence Directorate) and its agents in Seversk reported to the Stavka that approximately three Elesarian Motor Rifle Divisions have entered the Stasnovan side of the local capital of Cherkesk. Against them, they had the 19th Guards Motor Rifle Division, roughly 10,000 men, plus the 184th Border Guards Regiment and the 44th and 45th Internal Troops Battalions, that are regurarly stationed in the city.

The 19th Guards Motor Rifle initiated its defence plan at one. The plan was drafted from the beginning of the hostilities. It entailed the incorporation of the 184th Border Guards Regiment and the 44th and 45th Internal Troops Battalions into the structure of the 19th Gds. MRD, and in turn, the 21st Guards Combined Arms Army that the Division belonged to. Mirroring that, all Border Guards and Internal Troops units in the region of Seversk, became subcoordinated to the 21st Gds. CAA's command, and consequently to the Stavka (Stasnovan Military High Command).

With orders from the Stavka, the 21st Guards Combined Arms Army initiated Operation Kutuzov-2. The Operation and the plans it entailed were orginally created in the early 1990s, in case the newly formed Elesarian Imperial Military tried to take Seversk by force. The Operation had been altered several time, and there were several alternatives. The alternative plan were the Elesarians attacked just Seversk was now in effect.

Operation Kutuzov-2

War in Seversk - Kutuzov-2 Day 1

Artillery Phase:

When the order was given, all artillery units down to Regiment level opened fire. Over 450 tube and 150 rocket artillery systems opened fire at once. The ground shook as massive amounts of firepowered tore the Elesarian countryside to pieces. The artillery systems used were 2S3 Akatsiyas, 2S19 Mstas, towed artillery pieces like D-30s and 2A65s, as well as multiple rocket launcher systems like BM-21 Grads, BM-27 Uragans and BM-30 Smerchs. These were fired at every Elesarian position across the border was position was spotted and confirmed by Stasnovan intelligence.

But the massed artillery barrage wasn not the only long range strike of the Stasnovan military. Infrastructure of the Imperial Elesarian Armed Forces, or civilian infrastructure that could prove useful to them, such as bridges, power plants, major highways, airfields and the like, was targeted by 9K720 Iskander and OTR-21 Tochka systems, that used penetration and HE-Frag warheads. The Stasnovans would deny the Elesarians anything they could use to support their front.

Ground Phase:

The 3rd Guards Motor Rifle Division, along with the Anglaland Prairie Regiment of the Confederate Brystic Fleet, would advance and attack the Elesarian 12th Imperial Motor Rifle facing them across the border. The Anglaland Prairie Regiment's highly mobile but lightly armoured forces are to go forward and act as a combat recon element for the 3rd Guards Motor Rifle. The 2nd RIDER's combat doctrine, equipment and battlefield mobility was dubbed exceptional for the role of combat reconnaissance unit for a larger force by the Stavka and the command staff of the 12th Gds. CAA. Once the 2nd RIDER had secured accurate info, the 3rd Guards Motor Rifle Division would split into two echelons: one to the north and one to the south. The two echelons would attack the respective Elesarian flanks, the northern and the southern. The Stasnovan commanders would try to execute double envelopment, also known as pincer movement. Their aim was to seize objectives in the enemy's rear with the goal of destroying specific enemy forces and denying them the ability to withdraw, effectively encircling them.

Meanwhile, in Seversk, the 19th Guards Motor Rifle Division defending the city from the advancing Elesarians, received orders only to retreat when absolutely necessary. If its engaged units took heavy casualties or where in the process of being encircled, only then did they have the right to retreat and take up positions in the next line of defence. The Stasnovan defenders would have the advantage in the city, as the high-rise buildins would provide pefect firing postions for Anti-tank teams that could hit enemy armor in its weak spots, and machine gun squads and snipers that had a large line of sight to suppress enemy forces. This was meant to slow down the Elesarians as much as possible, for the exectution of Plan Odessa by the 2nd Guards Ostrovopol Tank Division outside the city. The newly arrived 2nd Guards Tank is to rapidly advancy around the city and attack the exposed rear of the 2nd, 3rd and 15th Imperial Motor Rifle Divisions fighting in the city. The rear echelon troops of the three Elesarian Divisions would be no match for the Stasnovan armor, unless a large amound of the Elesarian forces was still outside the city. The 2nd Guards Tank was to sweep through the Elesarian rear and fully encircle their part of the city. In this mission, the Divison was also joined by the 188th Border Guards Regiment that was embeded with it, increasing its strength to roughly 13,000 men.

While all this happened, the 51st Guards Motor Rifle Division, south of Chernogorsk, was given orders to advance forward to face the famed 1st Tank Division of the Elesarian Imperial Army, known as the "Emperor's Own". The 51st Guards Motor Rifle, being a B-category unit (partially active), was hurriedly prepared for combat, even without some of its personnel checking if for duty. As a result, it left its base near Chernogorsk at a strength of 8,000 men instead of the actual 10,000. Their orders were to establish a elastic or deep defence line. This kind of tactic was chosen so that the outnumbered 51st Guards could face the better equiped and more numerous elite Elesarian division. The battle plan was drafted so to not repel the Elesarian forces with a single, strong defensive line, in contrast, it relied on the fact that an attack will lose momentum over time or as it covers a larger area. The defending Stasnovan forces, outnumbered and outgunned, could hold the lightly defended area, with the objective of stress the Elesarians logistics and spread out the numerically superior attacking force. The 51st would deploy its full recourses, such as such as fortifications, field works and military units at and well behind the front line. The Division's forces, down to Company level would fight the Elesarians for a short time and then retreat to another defencive position and fight from there. The Divison would establish its elastic defence network and wait for the Elesarians to attack. They would try to slow and wear them down until reinfocements could.

To the south of lake Onega, the 20th Guards Motor Rifle Division, hopefully with support from the Rodstovian 1st Guards Tank Division, would move forward and attack the 7th Imperial Tank Division across the border. The Stasno-Rodstovian forces would have a slight numercial superiority, with rougly 15,500 men against the 12,000 of the Elesarians. The tactics used there by the Stasnovans would be more or less the same as the plan executed to the north by the 3rd Guards Motor Rifle and the Brystic 2nd RIDER: a pincer attack against both Elesarian flanks. The only difference with the attack in the north was the slightly different number of forces.

Air Phase:

The ground operations were coordinated with the aerial phase of Operation Kutuzov-2. The aerial phase consisted of three strike packages of aicraft, that would strike from the three main axis of attack: the northern axis of the 3rd Guards Motor Rifle Division and the 2nd Rider, the center axis of the 19th Guards Motor Rifle and 2nd Guards Tank in and around Cherkesk, and the southern axis of the 20th Guards Motor Rifle and the Rodstovian 1st Guards Tank Divison.

Each strike package consisted of 1 Su-24MP, 14 Su-24M2s, 15 MiG-29SMTs, 15 VeK-29Ms and 5 MiG-31BMs. The one Su-24MP in each of the strike packages was not equiped with weapons, save for two R-73Es for air defence, but were instead carrying high-power, state-of-the-art jamming pods. These jamming pods could blind Elesarian radars and prevent them from locking on the Stasnovan aircraft. The 14 Su-24M2s were carrying a full air-to-surface load of Kh-29L/T laser/TV-guided air-to-surface missiles and KAB-500L laser guided bombs. They would strike high-value targets (HVTs) and command and control centers, as well as troop concentrations. The 15 MiG-29SMTs were carrying a mix air-to-air/air-to-surface payload, with four R-77-1 AAMs and four RBK-500 cluster bombs. The MiGs would focus on striking troop concentrations and also fight enemy aircraft if they came after them. The VeK-29Ms were armed with a full air-to-air payload of 14 K-74M2s, K-77Ms and R-27EAs. These would provide top cover for the strike package, intercepting bogeys before they could harm the strike aircraft. Finally, the 5 MiG-31BMs were armed with four Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles and two R-77-1s for self-defence. Their mission was to seek out and strike enemy surface-to-air missile sites and radars. If a radar was spotted, the Kh-31P would automatically lock-on and home on it.

An additional 15 MiG-31BMs with a very long-range air-to-air load of four R-37 BVR missiles. These MiGs would stay behind the strike groups, and would seek out and destroy enemy AWACS, bomber, aerial refueling and command and control. Their extremely long-range missiles gave them the ability to engage enemy aircraft far outside the range of their escort fighters and disengage quickly enough to avoid danger. Along with these, a squadron of 15 Su-35S fighters would patrol the Stasnovan side of Seversk, in case any Elesarian interdictors tried to enter Stasnovan airspace. The rest of the aircraft in Stasnovan bases were put on high-alert and were ready to scramble at any time.

Meanwhile, the Su-25SMs of the 80th Support Aviation Regiment would provide close air support for the ground operations. Their three squadrons of 15 aircraft each were split along the three axis of advance, with one squadron supporting each attack. Meanwhile, the 92nd Guards Assault Helicopter Regiment, with its Mi-24/Mi-35s and Ka-52s, was spread out in a similar fashion along the three fronts to provide additional close air support. The helicopters could also act as hunter-killer teams, with the Ka-52s superior optics spotting enemy troops and the large payload of the Hinds attacking them. Furthermore, the helicopters of the 147th Transport Helicopter Regiment, would provide supplies to the front, and also act as MEDEVAC to evacutate the wounded from the field of battle.

Along with the the fighters, helicopters and strike aicraft, three Il-78M aerial refueling aircraft and two A-50M took off from the Stasnovan air bases. The each Il-78M was responsible for refuelling the aircraft of each strike package, and would stay within the Stasnovan border to avoid being shot down. Meanwhile, the two A-50Ms would similarly stay within Stasnovan airspace, and provide real time information of Elesarian aircraft, tracking every plane in the area. They could give early warnings to Stasnovan aircraft of possible threats, and coordinate the air operations. Each Il-78Ma and A-50M would have the escort of five MiG-29SMTs.

Seversk Oblast, Krasnaya Socialist Republic, United Socialist Republics of Stasnov
Stasnovan Cherkesk
126th Motor Rifle Battalion, 42nd Guards Motor Rifle Regiment, 19th Guards Motor Rifle Division
1245 hours

Several minutes had passed since the Elesarian military crossed the border. The men of the 126 Motor Rifle Battalion, 42nd MRG had taken seven lethal casualties in total, and had more than 25 wounded. The Elesarian tanks had taken their toll with their High-Explosive and High Explosive FRAG shells, that found their targets quite often. They were now taking cover behind some buildings, occasionally poking out to take pot shots at the Stasnovan defenders, with either their main guns or their anti-aircraft or co-axial machine guns, before quickly reversing behind cover in order to avoid the Stasnovan RPG and ATGM fire. One T-90 was tracked and was standing in the middle of the road, its turret turning around with its guns blazing, trying to pin down the Stasnovans in order to let its comrades reach it.

Masorin stood behind a torn apart desk in the middle of the 2nd flooor alongside his assistant, Private Gorbachev. He was repeatedly cursing, considering how idiotic he was to let that Elesarian fire team get so close and toss a grenade at him. He and Gorbachev barely escaped, but his PKP GPMG didn't. It was blown to pieces by the RGO, and Masorin was now using an AK-103 one of his squadmates got for him from the supply platoon. The rifle felt small in his hands when compared to his trusty PKP, if not uncomfortable to work with. He had been trained to be a machine gunner, but now he was using a damn assault rifle. But he would bear with it. He had to.

A HE shell from the T-90 rocked the building as it hit the floor above them. Romanov poked from a small hole on the wall to see the T-90's turret rotating to target the northern wing of the school. The Elesarian crew had made a deadly mistake: they had exposed the weak rear of their turret. Now was the time.

"Shishkin! Petrenko! Now!"

After Romanov gave the order, the two Stasnovan soldiers rose from cover with their RPG-29s shouldered. They both fired in quick succession and hit the T-90 on the turret's rear. A so-called "catastrophic kill" ensued, as the PG-29V tandem warheads detonated the ammunition inside the tank, and caused the turret to "pop", launched several metres in the air. Some light-hearted cheering was heard from the Stasnovan positions.

The destruction of one of the T-90s seemed to have made its comrades more careful, as the remaining Elesarian tanks were now more careful with their shots. The firefight had grown into a stalemate. No side was making moves. The news that arrived to Battalion HQ though, worried everyone. It seemed that three Elesarian Divisions, up to 36,000 troops, were advancing through Cherkesk. It didn't matter what this little skirmish had devolved into; the 126th had to move.

by **Brytene** » Sun Jan 10, 2016 1:58 pm

Northern conflict area, Brytisc AO
Early morning

Lt. Col. Santana sipped at her coffee. After extensive briefing with Stasnovan general staff and the command staff of the 12th Guards, it had been established that the RIDERS would provide forward scouting and skirmishing duties for the 3rd Motorised Rifles, helping to locate and pin key assets whilst the division took either flank and attempted a double penetration. She had deployed the 6th and 7th companies, holding the heavier 8th and 9th in reserve, whilst she knew that the 3rd, 4th, and 5th companies from their sister battalion were also out in the field, with the 1st and 2nd companies lurking in the rear echelons in case it all went wrong. Half the regiment was out in the snowy wastes somewhere, dancing a dangerous dance with the hulking beast of the Elesarian army.

These duties were ideal for the Prairie regiment. As a light infantry and motorised regiment, its soldiers were mostly trained in this kind of work, in sharpshooting, scooting, and scouting. Their rough-and-ready, self-sufficient attitudes, along with the battered marksman weapons and chuntering engines of their ATV's and LAC's, gave off the impression of men and women used to traversing wild terrain, of analysing and of making sensible decisions. They were as patient as they were gung-ho, and she knew she could trust her white-clad soldiers not to make a tits-up of it and go rushing off to fight an entire Elesarian army division on their own.

Already reports were coming in from across the fronts, rumours of artillery barrages and armoured assaults across the border region, with fighting particularly heavy in Seversk. This urban combat was not her regiment's speciality, however, and she was glad that her battalion and its sister, the Companions 1st Battalion, had been sent into the northern countryside to fight across woods, fields and hills, where space and freedom gave the Brytons the space to move and outwit the enemy. To stand under the guns of an armoured regiment, with nowhere to go and nothing between you but a brick wall....she shuddered inwardly, before turning her attention back to the constant radio chatter, monitor screens and barked updates that represented the tentative contact her battalion was making with the enemy....

Across the border, Brytisc AO
Early morning

This combat patrol was a small one. Two Arcturus ATV's, powerful quadbikes designed to take a beating and plough through shitty terrain, had rumbled to a small copse overlooking a wide valley through which wound a wide road in moderately sound repair, although snowdrifts and ice had made it into a wilderness. Between the dark road and the snow-laden trees, a frozen river snaked through the countryside. Along the road trundled what seemed like an endless host of Elesarian armour and troops. Light infantry lurked in the trees on the other side of the river, and Lance-Corporal Connors was certain that there must be similar infantry closer-to, maybe hidden in the maze of low gullys and boulders that lay on his side of the valley.

The ATV's were hidden behind the crest of the hill, and with two of his men he had crawled to the lip in order to spy on the enemy, but there was a good chance they had heard the rumbling motors, muffled as they were. Beside him, Trooper Heggesen mouthed to himself silently as he used the Corporals SlatePad to take notes and imagery.

Connors began to feel uncomfortable - they had been there too long, and there was a solid chance they'd be-

There was a resounding thump as, mere inches from Trooper d'Ath, snow and dirt exploded into the air. A near-miss from an enemy sharpshooter, most likely only foiled by a chance of the wind. d'Ath let loose with two rounds from her Mjolnir RAM before Connors slapped her on the shoulder. The trio backpedalled, as more bullets whickered into the trees around them, and jumped onto the two ATV's, spewing around in a spume of powdered snow as they rowelled back into the next valley, rushing away from the Elesarians. Despite the promise of Valholl, or in d'Ath's case Heaven, they had no wish to die today.

As they ploughed through the snow, Connor flicked on the radio, giving a preliminary report back to their liaison in the 3rd Motor Rifles general staff, half-shouting into his helmet mike over the roar of the engines, interrupted by the bumps and swerves

by **Rodstov** » Tue Jan 12, 2016 1:06 pm

Near the border, South East of Lake Onega, 9th Motor-Rifle Battlegroup attached to the 1st Guard Tank Div.

The 9th Motor-Rifle Battlegroup was lead by a Captian Miroslav Řezník. An accomplished Infantry soldier however he had only the skill set to lead a platoon not a full battle group. This led Captian Řezník to follow more of a autonomous approach to leading the battlegroup leaving the Company commanders and their attached Auxiliary units to manage themselves. This concerned him a little, not knowing what the other units were doing. however he had faith in his company commanders to conduct themselves accordingly. At this moment, it had taken them roughly 3 hours to cross the wild country side to get to the border. In front of them there was a small border out post and beyond that would be the 7th Tank belonging to the Elesarian ground forces.

Řezník personally led the recon to get an idea of what his unit was going to be dealing with. It seems that it looked like ever other border you would expect at any other. Except the fact that the guards were ready with their rifles. Other than that there were no other units that could be seen from his perch. Řezník moaned a bit. He was roughly a half a klick from the border watching the Elesarians carry on with their business as usual. He crawled slowly back from the crest of the hill and ordered two of the snipers that accompanied him and his command team to their location to take up positions. They were both clad in ghillie suits that helped them blend into the terrain around them. Both were armed with RSV-93 "Cyrus"s. The rifle would have no problem defeating body armor with its 9.3 x 64mm round and since the snipers both had attached an highpowered scope each, a bipod and a silencer they were equipped to deal damage silently from where they were. A kilometer plus from the nearest targets wouldn't give them to much trouble.

Řezník then turned to his RTO and spoke. "Alekseeva, lets get the rest of the Battle group on line." Řezník ordered. " have the 5th, 12th and 25th sneak up closer to the border and wait for orders when they have line of sight."

"Sir!" was Alekseeva's response has he began to speak over the radio. while this was happening one of the guards assigined to his protection had crawled up to the crest and was now looking through a pair of binoculars. The rest of his team including his Second in command, his Leading Sargent, The battlegroup standard bearer, and his political officer were all spread out among the trees where his unit had hid. They were all doing their best to remain hidden. He joined his guard and simply watched the border crossing. The Elesarians seemed to be oblivious to what could be just across the border.

9th Motor-Rifle Battlegroup (1,255 Personnel, 151 Armored Vehicles[9 are Aircraft] )
5th Guards Motor Rifle Company (237 personnel + 9 APC's)
- 67th "Federation's Talon" Recon Company (Aux. attached to 5th Guards) [36 Recce vehicles, 36 Pilots]
- 23rd "Federation's Blade" Assault Company (Aux. attached to 5th Guards) [24 Armored Vehicles, 147 personnel]
- 1065th "Federation's Spear" Aerial Company (Aux. attached to 5th Guards) [9 Airframes, 18 pilots]
12th Guards Motor Rifle Company (237 personnel + 9 APC's)
-18th "Federation's Blade" Assault Company (Aux. attached to 12th Guards) [24 Armored Vehicles, 147 personnel]
-65th "Federation's Fury" Heavy Armor Company (Aux. Attached to 12th Guards) [7 Armored Vehicles, 49 Personnel]
25th Guards Motor Rifle Company (237 personnel + 9 APC's)
-3rd "Federation's Blade" Assault Company (Aux. attached to 25th Guards) [24 Armored Vehicles, 147 personnel]

Notes:
9th Motor-Rifle Battlegroup uses BTR-70/80's for their APCs, T-80MV's for their Tanks (used by the 65th), BMP-D2P's with the Assault companies, and a combination of KA-52's and KA-56's gunships.

Message to 20th Motor-Rifle

Code: Select all: |Encoded Message of the Rodstovian military | |-Message as follows.... | |<= Commanding Officer, of the 20th Guards Motor-Rifle Division |=> Major Eva Koudelkov, of the 1st Guards Tank Division | |=Hello Comrade, |I have moved my forces into postions with my 9th Motor-Rifle Battlegroup (1'200 + men) into positons roughly 1 km from the border. |I have a "Drakon" UAV up and flying within our controlled airspace, I have my 19th MLRS Company with BM-21 and BM-27's (MB-12's/MB-72's | in our coding) deployed and ready to pound the border before we role over. I also have the rest of my division ready and poised to roll over |the border roughly 2 to 3 kilometers from the border. We will allow your Division the first strike. The BM-21's are aimed at the border |area where as the BM-27's and going to be fired into and area were we believe their 7th Tank Division is hiding 10km from the border. |The Artillery will most likely kick the hornets nest and they will send air power against us. I have a Company of SPAAG's on stand by for |their counter attack and a company of Antitank unit's to counter and charging Tanks that may rush us after the strike. I think I have |thought of everything for this opening move If you have any ideas I'm open to them comrade but I must say this we must nail them to |the wall in this first attack or it will be tough going for us the rest of the way. | |Signed Major Eva Koudelkov, of the 1st Guards Tank Division | |Message ends | |Link is open for response.

To Stavka

Code: Select all: |Encoded Message of the Stasnovan military | |-Message as follows.... | |<= Stavka - High Command of the Stasnovan Armed Forces |=> United Socialist Federation of Rodstov - USFAF High Command | |Confirmed. Though I'm unsure if we will use that FOB. I will be sure to end Auxiliary units to |that FOB if the need for them arises. We Plan to send 2 more battle groups roughly 2500 men and |woman from the 1st Guards Tank Division to the FOB as a reserve force if the attack against the |7th Tank fails. We have equipped these units with T-114's and BTR-15's and BMP-25's. |These are the best tanks we have designed thus far and wish for you to have them after we win |Here. Though we doubt they are better than what you already have VP will be stronger if we |Share technology, think of this as a gift of our ongoing support for your government. | |Stay Strong Comrades | |Message ends | |Link is open for response.

The Bear and the Eagle (Atlas-Only/MT/IC)

9th Guards Rifle Regiment Deploys to assist Stasnovian Comra

1st Gds Tank Div Deployed

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