The Moscow Times

[Beauty]

"The order still stands. Don't make us put a timetable on it."
 
OOC: Let's create a new thread, this is cluttering up my news thread. And as Uber said, let's take a short break from this RP and continue on from there in the morning.

You have 48 hours to leave the caucuses or our troops there will begin arresting you for illegally being in our nation and deport you back to Moscow.

OOC:
Then make a new thread.

[JEDCJT]

Muscovite troops to relocate away from Ukraine

 
MOSCOW - In light of the recent announcement by the Foreign Ministry in the aftermath of the peaceful resolution of the dispute over the North Caucasian region, the Ministry of War and Defense announced that the number of Army troops stationed in the Viceroyalty of South Russia (VSR) will be reduced from 70,000 to 30,000, to be supplanted by auxiliary police corps. As an act of good faith, Army troopers stationed alongside the Muscovite-Ukrainian border will be moved away from the border regions, with some awaiting relocation to the Tula, Tambov, and Tsaritsyn governorates.
 
The Grand Duke in a public speech in Moscow expressed gratitude that "cooler heads" have prevailed in the situation that had come close to erupting in a war between the Grand Duchy of Moscow and the Ukraine. He praised the officials in the Foreign Ministry who worked hard to defuse the potentially volatile situation, and stated his intentions to pursue peaceful and productive relations with the Ukraine in the near-future.

Edited August 20, 2014 by JEDCJT

[JEDCJT]

Deputies appointed to State Duma

 

MOSCOW - Elections for the State Duma were held by the governorate, viceroyal, and emirate legislatures. One oddity of the Muscovite political system was the prerogative of Imperial Cities - an administrative and jurisdictional system separate from the other, higher administrative divisions - to appoint deputies to the State Duma. This meant that, for instance, both the Moscow Governorate and the Imperial City of Moscow, entities encompassing practically the same area, could respectively appoint such deputies to the State Duma. Equally as strange was the fact that the Viceroyalty of South Russia could also appoint deputies, despite the fact that it encompassed several of the governorates, viceroyalties, emirates, and an Imperial city. As each administrative region could appoint two deputies, there were seventy-two available seats in the State Duma.

Once the sub-level legislatures had concluded elections and dispatched the newly-appointed deputies to Moscow, it was announced that out of seventy-two seats, United Muscovy (UNM) received over forty-one, the Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP) seventeen, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) ten, and the Russian Unity Party (RUP) four. This was due to the fact that a large majority of the sub-level legislatures, not to mention their constituents, were dominated or at least greatly influenced by the parties. For instance, St. Petersburg was a bastion of the LDP, while Moscow and several surrounding regions were UNM strongholds. With this election, Muscovy at last had two chambers of the legislature. Among the powers and responsibilities of the State Duma were receiving government reports from the Steward on the daily performance of government, approving the appointment and dismissal of several government positions (such as the Chairman of Muscovy's central bank), and approving the issuance of pardons and amnesties.

Edited August 20, 2014 by JEDCJT

[JEDCJT]

Highly-classified:

 

Grand Duke Mikhail Romanov signed a special ukase reorganizing the Third Department of the His Imperial Majesty’s Chancery. Directly responsible to the Grand Duke, the Third Department now consists of seventeen directorates:

- Directorate of Internal Intelligence

- Directorate of Foreign Intelligence

- Directorate of Counterintelligence

- Directorate of Military Intelligence

- Directorate of Military Counterintelligence

- Directorate of Special Operations

- Directorate of Surveillance

- Directorate of Public Relations

- Directorate of Communications

- Directorate of Transportation

- Directorate of Protective Services

- Directorate of Research and Development

- Directorate of Internal Troops

- Directorate of Border Troops

- Directorate of Organizational and Personnel Services

- Directorate of Penal Services

- Directorate of Coordination

 

The Directorate of Internal Intelligence was tasked with gathering and processing intelligence on internal threats (actual and perceived), while Foreign Intelligence focused on foreign threats. Counterintelligence, as its name suggests, was to protect the Grand Duchy against espionage, sabotage, and external intelligence activities. Military Intelligence and Counterintelligence performed the same as the above, but within the military. Special Operations focused on ‘special operations’ such as raids against internal and external threats. Communications and Transportation were responsible for the security of the Grand Duchy’s communications and transportation systems, while Surveillance were responsible for general surveillance, such as the monitoring of mail, telephone, and Internet communications. Public Relations were responsible for censorship. Protective Services were tasked with the protection of government leaders and properties, as well as other designated officials and properties. Research and Development were responsible for state research and development projects, and the maintenance of facilities such as laboratories. Internal Troops maintained the Grand Duchy’s Internal Troops, while Border Troops was tasked with frontier security. Organizational and Personnel Services focused on the maintenance of the MGB’s operations and integrity of its personnel. Penal Services were responsible for the daily operation and administration of the MGB’s own penal system, separate from the national one. Lastly, but not least, Coordination was tasked with ensuring coordination between the other directorates, including but not limited to joint operations.

 

The Third Department’s personnel are to be increased from the present 30,000 to 104,000; the Internal Troops from 25,000 to 76,000; and the Border Troops from 3,000 to 10,000.

 

The central headquarters of the Third Department will be relocated to Lubyanka Square in Moscow.

[JEDCJT]

Foreign exploration and drilling allowed, with conditions

 

MOSCOW - Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak announced plans regarding the petroleum industry, specifically foreign exploration and drilling rights to the Grand Duchy's petroleum and gas reserves. After deliberations with the Grand Duke, the Steward, the His Imperial Majesty's Chancery, and political parties, the Minister stated that foreign companies could be allowed to apply for exploration and drilling rights to petroleum and gas reserves as long as they:
 

a). apply for a permit from the Ministry of Energy and Gazprom, pay a flat rate fee for the permits respectively, and pay additional fees for each five square miles added to exploration and drilling zones respectively.
 
b). adhere to the Grand Duchy's strict safety and operating procedures on drilling and exploration, and be subject to monthly safety inspections at foreign expense.
 
c). pay a specified percentage of profits from the sale of oil and gas to Gazprom, and ship fifty percent of extracted oil and gas to the Grand Duchy as a destination.
 
d). submit detailed reports on their exploration findings, and allow Gazprom and Energy Ministry officials on exploration vessels during this process.
 
e). employ at least thirty percent of their staff and personnel in drilling platforms and oil wells from the Grand Duchy, pay them the minimum wage at least, and ensure their safety due to the hazardous duties on the oil platforms and wells.

 

However, Novak pointed out, this does not confer - and neither should it be construed as to confer - any rights to ownership or sovereignty of the petroleum and gas reserves, as well the oil platforms and relevant infrastructure within the maritime and land territories of the Grand Duchy, to foreign companies. This is because the Grand Duchy holds "sole sovereignty and jurisdiction" over "all natural resources within the national territories of the Grand Duchy of Moscow; and the management of such natural resources", which includes petroleum and gas, as per clause b of Article 4 of the Constitution.

Edited August 20, 2014 by JEDCJT

[JEDCJT]

New national flag unveiled

 

MOSCOW - The National Assembly (formerly known as the Legislature) voted to pass a special resolution adopting a new national flag of the Tsardom. Tsar Mikhail Ivanovich Romanov subsequently signed it into law.
 

 

Based off on the 'coat of arms flag' (erroneously referred to as the Romanov flag) utilized by the first Russian Empire in the mid- to late nineteenth century, the new flag has three equal horizontal fields, with black on the top, gold in the middle, and white-silver on the bottom, with the Lesser Coat of Arms superimposed in the center. The black symbolizes statehood, strength, and stability, the gold symbolizes spirituality, moral perfection, and strength of mind, and the white-silver symbolizes selfless sacrifice for the Russian nation.
 
All government agencies and organizations are to replace the old flag with the new one immediately, although citizens are allowed to fly the old flag in their houses or other properties if they wish.

Edited August 20, 2014 by JEDCJT

[JEDCJT]

HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED

After secret discussions with the His Imperial Majesty's Chancery and the National Assembly, Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu ordered the implementation of a national defense project. It was to involve ground-based and maritime defenses, and would center around the concept of strategic survivalibity. Although Muscovy had peaceful relations with its neighbors, Shoygu wanted to make it clear that this programme weren't directed against any nation in general; it was simply to ensure the survival of Muscovy in wartime.

According to the plan, construction of underground bases were to commence in strategic areas across Muscovy. Such bases were to be hardened against outside attacks such as bunker busters and EMP, and were to serve as a fallback reserve in which the Armed Forces would utilize if necessary in times of war. Reserve personnel, fuel, aircrafts, vehicles, munitions, and equipment of all types and calibers were to be stored in these bases. Likewise, onground bases and bunkers were to be constructed, to be hardened against bunker buster and EMP attacks. Alongside the Muscovite coast, hardened machine-gun nesta and anti-tank gun nests were to be constructed, to be connected by an underground tunnel system.

New airbases, hangars, and airfields were to be constructed in strategic locations in Muscovy, utilizing stronger construction materials to harden themselves against outside attack such as runway cratering and bombardment. Asphalt blocks, fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) mats, and FRP foldable mats were to be produced for the purposes of rapid runway repair (RRR) as well. Existing bases and runways were to be upgraded and hardened accordingly. Select highways were to be reinforced and utilized as airstrips if needed be.

All inland heavy anti-aircraft guns above 40mm are to be replaced by fixed and mobile aerial defense platforms. All 40mm guns are to be upgraded and placed in strategic locations in a way that would minimize coverage. Artillery emplacements (including but not limited to anti-personnel mortars) were to be constructed alongside Muscovy's Gulf of Finland, Black Sea, Caspian Sea, and Barents Sea coastlines. The aforementioned aerial defense platforms would include, but not limited to, fixed and mobile surface-to-air (SAM) launchers capable of firing short-, medium-, and long-range anti-aircraft surface-to-air missiles, rolling airframe infrared homing surface-to-air missiles, anti-sea ballistic missiles, anti-radiational missiles, and anti-satellite missiles. Some of them were to be arrayed around the major cities, assisted with low-frequency and high-frequency RADAR installations.

The Muscovite aerial defense network were to be compartmentalized to facilitate initiatives at the local level; a single SAM platform and its crew, for instance, were expected to act independently in situations where communication with central headquarters were impossible. Local airports were to serve as bases of first priority in the national defense system; they would enable the Air Force to shift its forces and assets away from larger airports (which would be obvious targets), and to confuse and deceive the enemy. Several Antonov An-225s would be converted into mobile refueling and command posts to help dispersed aircrafts and assets to operate in local airports.

AESA ground-based RADAR systems were to be established, utilizing active scan arrays, low-frequency radars (and high-frequency ones in some cases), and high-resolution infrared motion cameras to detect and identify incoming enemy aircraft. Airborne platforms such as AWACs were to work in conjunction with the aforementioned RADAR systems. The same would go for maritime defenses: an extensive SOSUS system were to be constructed in Muscovite territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ). An extensive network of permanent sonar arrays, long-range, bistatic, and multi-static RADAR (and buoy-mounted bistatic transmitters), and sensor platforms were to be constructed. To provide close-in protection, remote-controlled naval thermite mines would be established in predetermined locations on the seafloor, up to fifty miles off the coast, and connected by an intricate system of cables and junction boxes. Mainframe systems equipped with generators would be established inland, and hardened against bunker buster and EMP attacks.

Finally, thousands of remote-controlled thermite mines were to be established alongside Muscovy's borders, and coastline as well, in high quantities. These mines would be configured with fail-safes to prevent accidental detonations or activations. In times of war, these mines would be triggered remotely through hardened control stations established at fifty-mile intervals alongside the borders and coastlines, and were to prevent or at least reduce the chances of beach landings. These stations were to be established between ten and fifteen miles inland, and would serve as a control center for a number of ballistic missile defense systems, such as anti-ship, anti-radiational, and anti-personnel missiles. Each station were to hold five missiles, ten artillery guns, and supplies for beachhead bunkers.

As a precautionary measure, all military bases and installations were to be rigged with enough explosives to vaporize any leftover weaponry, equipment, and technology, or at least irrevocably damage them beyond repair.

Fixed and mobile defenses, along with small groups of fighters and interceptors, were to engage the enemy and whittle down their numbers in the first several waves. In the meanwhile, select aerial defense systems would be turned off and camouflaged during the initial waves, to be activated later on to deal with surviving enemy aircrafts. The idea was that Muscovy was to survive a devastating first-strike, and to marshal its forces, assets, and resources to continue fighting for longer periods of time.

With the programme having been detailed out, construction work would begin in earnest.

[JEDCJT]

Conspiracy? SOCSOV activists arrested in raids, to be charged with myriad of crimes

 

MOSCOW - Following an anonymous tip off, two units of the Moscow Militsya (police) and a squad of the Special Tactical Unit launched a raid on a two-story house in central Moscow, several blocks away from the Kremlin. Eight individuals inside the house were placed under preventative arrest, and a large cache of weapons, ammunition, equipment, and explosives were discovered in the basement, along with paperwork and money bills inside oversized gym bags. The suspects were immediately hauled off into prison, while the evidence were carefully cataloged. Further searches of the house uncovered lists of individuals and organizations; these individuals in several locations in central and western Moscow, were placed under arrest and more weapons caches seized.
 
"We do not know how such a great array of weaponry and equipment were smuggled into Muscovy," Militsya police chief Antonin Grozny stated in a special press statement. "But we are looking into it. We will take appropriate steps to ensure public safety."
 
It didn't take long before the experts from the Cybercrime Division were able to crack the encrypted files in the suspects' computers and laptops seized at the crime scene. They found, along with large amount of child porn, documents that indicated that the weapons and equipment originated from outside Muscovy, and a closer examination of the documents as well a thorough background check on the suspects indicated that they were members of the Sovereign Socialist Party, an illegal organization. Interrogation of the suspects confirmed this after several hours of effort, with one suspect admitting that "yeah, we received instructions from SOCSOV to smuggle weapons inside Muscovy, overthrow the Government and replace it with a SOCSOV government dedicated to freedom and equality." Another suspect admitted to investigators that they received orders from the "SOCSOV government in Hawaii" to undertake this operation in the "name of the working class."
 
"SOCSOV? You mean that crazy regime in Hawaii?" Lead detective Dmitri Gromyko inquired.
 
"Hey, SOCSOV isnt crazy! They are a honorable group of people dedicated to ending the oppression of the workers by international bankers! It is YOU who are crazy, working for the bankers!" One of the suspects ranted, beginning to foam at the mouth.
 
Further examinations of the suspects' bank accounts indicated that the money found in the suspects' possessions originated from SOCSOV, and that the suspects were planning to launder the money to minimize the chance of detection. The interrogations indicated that the weaponry and equipment were smuggled into the country and transported to Moscow with the cooperation of corrupt civilian and military officials. It was no coincidence that the 'safehouses' that the suspects were residing in were located mere blocks away from the Kremlin complex.
 
The suspects will be charged with possession of illegal weaponry with intent to distribute, conspiracy to commit homicide, conspiracy to disturb the peace, conspiracy to overthrow the Government, money laundering, bribery, identity theft, extortion, and possession of child pornography with intent to distribute.

Edited August 20, 2014 by JEDCJT

[JEDCJT]

 

Sanctions imposed on Hawaii

 

MOSCOW - Given substantial evidence of the attempt by the SOVSOC regime in Hawaii to subvert and overthrow the Government of Muscovy, as well as its aggressive and destabilizing actions and rhetoric in international affairs, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Medvedev announced the following measures would be imposed upon the SOVSOC regime in Hawaii, to take effect immediately:

a). the withdrawal of the Muscovite ambassador and diplomatic officials from Honolulu;

b). an comprehensive embargo on arms and related materials;

c). a ban on the procurement of arms, related materials, and technology;

d). a ban on the import and purchase of goods and technology;

e). a ban on exports of goods and technology;

f). the freezing of SOVSOC assets in Muscovy, including these owned by SOVSOC leaders;

g). the confiscation of SOVSOC-owned properties in Muscovy.

 

Furthermore, SOCSOV has been added to the National Terror Watchlist (NTW). The central government's national repository of information on terrorist identities will be updated accordingly; screening agencies will receive updated information on known or suspected terrorists trying to obtain visas, enter the country, board aircraft, or engage in other activities; and the Transportation Security Bureau in the Ministry of the Internal Ministry will begin updating its aviation security programs accordingly. Lastly, membership in a SOCSOV or SOCSOV-affiliated organization is prohibited, and members will be charged with High Treason.

Edited August 20, 2014 by JEDCJT

[JEDCJT]

Workerscorps established in St. Petersburg

 

ST. PETERSBURG - The City Administration of St. Petersburg passed a resolution establishing the Workerscorps. The bill was signed by the Governor, and approved by the Elector of the Imperial City of St. Petersburg. Also known as the Civil Conservation Corps (CCC), and responsible to a joint Local Committee headed by officials from the City Administration and Imperial City, the Corps would be tasked with a wide range of activities focused on the conservation and development of natural resources in the St. Petersburg Governorate and the namesake Imperial City.
 
They would participate in work projects in several classifications, such as structural improvements, erosion and flood control, forest protection, landscape and recreation, and wildlife. To elaborate further, Corps personnel would be tasked with the construction and renovation of bridges, highways, parks, railways, dams, and service buildings; plant trees and shrubs wherever possible; run intercity youth programs; oversee mural and arts campaigns; perform firefighting and insect and disease control; and other miscellaneous works. Corps personnel would receive monthly stipends, housing and food for their work.
 
The establishment of the Corps received enthusiastic public support from St. Petersburg's populace, especially factory workers and sailors, who are expected to join the Corps en masse. The other Governorates are discussing the possible implementation of programs similar to the Workerscorps, and a bill had just been submitted in the Constituent Assembly to establish such a program on a national level.

Edited August 20, 2014 by JEDCJT

[JEDCJT]

Peacekeepers deployed to Baltic states following Ubersteinian collapse

 

MOSCOW - Following the recent collapse of Ubersteinia, the Defense Ministry had authorized the deployment of peacekeepers into the regions of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Kaliningrad Oblast to restore law and order. Its ally in the European Community, Alvonia, did the same. Security members in the European Community were notified of this move.
 
Following discussions with Defense Ministry officials, the His Imperial Majesty's Chancery, and the National Assembly, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Medvedev announced that the regions of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania would be placed under the protection of Muscovy, taking effect immediately. Security members of the European Community are welcome to send troops and personnel (no more than 5,000 per member) to the Baltic States. Lastly, in consideration of strategic interests, the Kaliningrad Oblast was to come under the exclusive sovereignty and jurisdiction of Muscovy, taking effect immediately.
 
CLASSIFIED
 
After strategic evaluations on the ground, Stavka decided to deploy two additional divisions (20,000) from the 5th Motorized and 10th Infantry Divisions, bringing the total number to 50,000. The bulk of the new deployments would be allocated to the Kaliningrad Oblast. An additional squadron of Tupolev Tu-160s would be deployed to Kaliningrad as well, although the amount of fighters would remain for now. UAVs, UCAVs, and EWACs would be sent to the protectorate regions. Moreover, two Antonov An-225 transports would be dispatched to the Baltic states, and one to Kaliningrad. Officials from the Border Troops, with the assistance of auxiliary police troopers, would assume control of all border checkpoints alongside the Lithuanian-Belarus border, and the Kaliningrad-Polish border.

 

(OOC: 1 of 7 posts regarding Kaliningrad)

Edited August 20, 2014 by JEDCJT

[JEDCJT]

Kaliningrad Governorate established

 

KALININGRAD - Tsar Mikhail Ivanovich Romanov appointed Alexander Yaroshuk provisional head of the newly-established Kaliningrad Governorate today. He will be tasked with maintaining order, reviewing Ubersteinian laws and regulations to ensure conformity with the Muscovite constitution, organizing a constitutional convention to draft a local constitution, and overseeing the upcoming elections for the City Council of Deputies. His administration will also work with various Ministries of the central government to integrate Kaliningrad's existing infrastructures with the rest of Muscovy. Moreover, Kaliningrad will be incorporated as a city of governorate significance, a locally-established administrative unit on an equal status to the districts that comprise the Governorate.
 
Located at the mouth of the Pregolya River, formerly known as Königsberg in Prussian and German times, and named after Soviet president Mikhail Kalinin after the Great Patriotic War, Kaliningrad served as a major military base in the former USSR and subsequent incarnations of Russia, including the Greater Russian Empire. And so Kaliningrad will once again serve as a major military base in Muscovy, and Defense Sergei Shoigu announced in a press statement that the military deployments stationed in the city will remain there for the time being, pending strategic evaluations by Stavka and the Defense Ministry.
 
---
 

Protectorate established in Baltic states

 

RIGA - The Protectorate of Livonia was proclaimed by decree by Tsar Romanov, to consist of the regions of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and Riga was designated the administrative capital. Taavi Roivas was appointed Protector-General of Estonia, Andriy Berzin for Latvia, and Dalia Grybauskaite for Lithuania, and they will report to Loreta Ilves, the Chief Protector of Livonia. Unlike the Kaliningrad Governorate, the protectorates will not be considered as an integral part of Muscovy and will be tasked - in additional to maintaining public order - with preparing the regions for eventual independence or other options as determined by the local populace.
 
The former Tri-State Assembly of Ubersteinia will be converted into the protectorate legislature of Livonia, with its members serving in the first session of the Legislature for a two-year term. Among the first legislation passed by the Legislature was a comprehensive review of Ubersteinian laws and resolutions to ensure compliance with the Muscovite constitution, which will serve as the ultimate authority over the Protectorate. As in Kaliningrad, all military deployments stationed in the protectorate regions will remain there, pending strategic evaluations by Stavka and the Defense Ministry.

 

(OOC: 2 of 7 posts regarding Kaliningrad)

Edited August 20, 2014 by JEDCJT

[Euphaia]

Hungary-Slovakia must contest the move by Muscovy to make Ubersteinia a protectorate, and lodges a formal diplomatic protest with Muscovy.

 

With Muscovy's recent doubling in size, Hungary-Slovakia must question if this is yet another move by Muscovy to eventually expand; only this time to try to expand into Eastern Europe.

 

We do not wish for aggressions to start between our two nations, but Hungary-Slovakia will assert itself and it's Eastern European Monroe Doctrine, which we will not back down or back away from.

 

Unless, ofcourse, Muscovy gives Hungary-Slovakia it's utmost assurance that Muscovy will never attempt to expand itself into former Ubersteinia.  

 

Such territory, especially since it so close Hungary-Slovakia and it's ally Belarus, should be preserved for rule by, and only by, the citizens of that territory. (a new person who doesn't already have a CNRP2 nation)

Edited June 17, 2014 by Euphaia

[Markus Wilding]

"Alvonia, as a joint protector of the former Ubersteinian state, will work to ensure that the local's wishes are respected when it comes to who is ruling over them. Whether that is their own independent state or joining an established state is yet to be seen."

 

- Director Markus Wilding

[Euphaia]

Hungary-Slovakia appreciates this assurance by the Alvonian government.

 

Our observers will gladly work alongside Alvonia's own for three monhs, to help Alvonia with ensuring the local's wishes are respected.

Edited June 17, 2014 by Euphaia

[JEDCJT]

"The Foreign Ministry notes the diplomatic protest filed by Hungary-Slovakia.

First of all, let us make it clear that Muscovy has not recognized the Eastern European Monroe Doctrine, although we do commend the spirit behind such a Doctrine. Even if we did, the wording of your Doctrine prohibits "non-Eastern European powers" from 'expanding' into Eastern Europe. Muscovy is a part of Eastern Europe, and thus the Doctrine is not applicable to this situation.

Next, we are concerned about your sentiments, that Muscovy's intervention into the former Ubersteinia to restore order and prevent anarchy is a thinly-veiled attempt at expansion. Had we intended to expand into the ex-Ubersteinian territories, we would have incorporated the Baltic states into the Tsardom, and not established a Protectorate of Livonia as we did.

Lastly, Muscovy will assert its right to sovereignty and freedom of action to safeguard its interests, and this includes the prevention of anarchy in the former Ubersteinia. Let us assure you that Muscovy will not take steps to 'expand' into the Baltic states if the people do not desire it."

Edited June 17, 2014 by JEDCJT

[Euphaia]

Hungary-Slovakia considers Muscovy as part of Western Asia.  However, we will gladly amend the Monroe Doctrine to state that we are against any imperialism in Eastern Europe, if it will help clarify our views.

 

Hungary-Slovakia also will assert it's right to sovereignty and freedom of action to safeguard it's interests.

 

Our observers would be most glad to work alongside Muscovy's in order to help prevent anarchy in former Ubersteinia.

[JEDCJT]

"Your definition of Western Asia is mistaken. Western Asia is a term that refers to the Middle East and the Near East."

 

"Muscovy is very much a part of the European continent. With that said, we will allow your observers into the Baltic states, except for Kaliningrad Governorate, as long as they are not of a military nature."

Edited June 17, 2014 by JEDCJT

[Euphaia]

We respect your request to stay out of Kaliningrad Governorate.  We did not have any wish to enter that area.

[JEDCJT]

Civil Protection and Civilian Conservation institutions established

 

MOSCOW - The Constituent Assembly narrowly voted to approve the Civil Protection and the Civilian Conservation bills in the second reading, and passed them on to the State Duma for consideration. After considerable debate, in which proponents of both bills managed to muster enough votes to approve them by a razor-thin margin, the bills were passed on to the Tsar, who signed them into law.
 
The Civil Protection Act establishes the Civil Protection Bureau (CPB), and places it under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Labor. The CPB will be tasked with social services such as natural disaster relief operations, assisting law enforcement and emergency services officials, and other tasks such as directing traffic and assisting with administrative works. The Civilian Conservation Act establishes the Civilian Conservation Bureau (CCB) within the Labor Ministry. Similar to St. Petersburg's Workerscorps, the CCB will perform conservation and development services such as infrastructural renovations, erosion and flood control, perform certain emergency services such as firefighting, and many others. It will also oversee and coordinate local CCB bureaus such as the Workerscorps in St. Petersburg.
 
The CPB and CCB will serve as two of three possible options (the third being military service) for citizens to fulfill their obligations to the Government.

Edited August 20, 2014 by JEDCJT

[JEDCJT]

Tsar issues decree modifying the name of government institutions

 

MOSCOW - Tsar Mikhail Ivanovich Romanov issued an ukase. The text goes as follows:

 

Decree on the Modification of the Names of Certain Government Institutions

on June 18, 20XX

 
In accordance to the prerogatives of the Tsar and Grand Prince of Moscow, as well as Articles 33 and 35 of the Constitution, the Head of State of the Tsardom of Muscovy decrees:
 
1). The position of Minister-President shall be renamed the position of Prime Minister;

a). The powers and responsibilities of the Prime Minister, as outlined in Articles 49 through 58, shall remain unchanged.

 
2). The National Assembly shall be renamed the Parliament;

a). The powers and responsibilities of the Parliament, as outlined in Articles 61 through 73, shall remain unchanged;

b). Articles 61 through 64, and 72, shall be modified to reflect the name change. 

 
3). The State Duma shall be renamed the State Council;

a). The powers and responsibilities of the State Council, as outlined in Article 68, shall remain unchanged;

b). Articles 63, 67, 68, and 72 shall be modified to reflect the name change.

 
4). The Constituent Assembly shall be renamed the State Duma;

a). The powers and responsibilities of the State Duma, as outlined in Article 66, shall remain unchanged;

b). Article 63, 65, 66, 69, and 70 shall be modified to reflect the name change.

 
5). This Decision shall enter into force immediately.
 
Signed,
/s/
Mikhail Ivanovich Romanov,
Tsar and Grand Prince,
Tsardom of Muscovy

 
---
 

Kaliningrad renamed Putingrad

 

PUTINGRAD - The Tsar also issued another ukase. It goes as follows:

 

Decree on the Modification of the Name of the City and Port of Kaliningrad

on June 18, 20XX

 
In accordance to the prerogatives of the Tsar and Grand Prince of Moscow, as well Article 35 of the Constitution, the Head of State of the Tsardom of Muscovy decrees:
 
1). The City and Port of Kaliningrad shall be renamed the City and Port of Putingrad, in honor of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin;

a). The new name is to be used in all government documents and communiques.

 
3). The Kaliningrad Governorate shall be renamed the Putingrad Governorate;

a). The new name is to be used in all government documents and communiques.

 
4). The title of government officials in the City, Port, and Governorate of Putingrad shall be modified to reflect the new name in all government documents and communiques.
 
5). All stamped envelopes and packages to the City, Port, and Governorate of Putingrad shall use the new name, "Putingrad".
 
6). This Decision shall enter into force immediately.
 
Signed,
/s/
Mikhail Ivanovich Romanov,
Tsar and Grand Prince,
Tsardom of Muscovy

(OOC: 3 of 7 posts regarding Kaliningrad/Putingrad)

Edited August 20, 2014 by JEDCJT

[JEDCJT]

CLASSIFIED
 
Tsar Mikhail Romanov issued a couple of decrees, to be distributed in secret to the relevant government agencies:
 

Decree on the Establishment of Military Districts

To be published and distributed in secret

 
In accordance to the prerogatives of the Tsar and Grand Prince of Moscow, the Government decrees:
 
I. Three Military Districts, and three Joint Strategic Commands, are to be established.
 
II. The Military Districts are as follows:
 

a). Northwestern Military District, headquartered in St. Petersburg;

b). Central Military District, headquartered in Tula;
c). Southern Military Districts, headquartered in Elista.

 
III. The Northwestern Military District shall consist of the:
 

a). Murmansk Governorate;

b). Novgorod Governorate;
c). Pskov Governorate;
d). Putingrad Governorate;
e). St. Petersbug Governorate;
f). Vologda Governorate;
g). Viceroyalty of Karelia;
h). Viceroyalty of Tver.

 
IV. The Central Military District shall consist of the:
 

a). Bryansk Governorate;
b). Ivanovo Governorate;
c). Kaluga Governorate;
d). Lipetsk Governorate;
e). Moscow Governorate;
f). Oryol Governorate;
g). Saratov Governorate;
h). Smolensk Governorate;
i). Tula Governorate;
j). Voronezh Governorate;
k). Vladimir Governorate;
l). Yaroslavl Governorate;
m). Viceroyalty of Mordovia;
n). Viceroyalty of Ryazan;
o). Viceroyalty of Tver;
p). Viceroyalty of Nizhny Novgorod;
q). Imperial City of Moscow.

 
V. The Southern Military District shall consist of the:
 

a). Astrakhan Governorate;
b). Krasnodar Governorate;
c). Rostov Governorate;
d). Stavropol Governorate;
e). Tsaritsyn Governorate;
f). Emirate of Chechnya;
g). Emirate of Dagestan;
h). Viceroyalty of Balkaria;
i). Viceroyalty of Cherkessia;
j). Viceroyalty of Kalmykia;
k). Viceroyalty of Ossetia;
l). Imperial City of Tsaritsyn.

 
VI. All military units, formations, and establishments in each Military District shall be placed under the administration and authority of their respective Joint Strategic Commands.
 
VII. Each Joint Strategic Commands shall report to the Minister of Defense and the Imperial High Command.
 
VIII. This Decision shall enter into force immediately.
 
Signed,
/s/
Mikhail Ivanovich Romanov,
Tsar and Grand Prince,
Tsardom of Muscovy

 

Decree on the Establishment of the Privy Council

To be published and distributed in secret

 
In accordance to the prerogatives of the Tsar and Grand Prince of Moscow, the Government decrees:
 
I. The Privy Council is to be established.
 
II. The Council shall consist of Advisors appointed and dismissed by the Tsar.
 
III. The Council shall be chaired by the Chairman of the His Imperial Majesty's Chancery.
 
IV. The Council shall advise the Tsar in matters pertaining to the Imperial Throne, as well as state, constitutional, and national security affairs.
 
V. The Council shall have the power to issue binding Orders-in-Councils, which can be overturned by the Tsar at his discretion.
 
VI. This Decision shall enter into force immediately.
 
Signed,
/s/
Mikhail Ivanovich Romanov,
Tsar and Grand Prince,
Tsardom of Muscovy

Edited August 20, 2014 by JEDCJT

[JEDCJT]

CLASSIFIED

 

After strategic review of ground forces on the ground, Stavka authorized the permanent deployment of 12,000 troops and personnel in the Putingrad Governorate (which comprises the Putingrad Special District within the Northwestern Military District). These deployments would be divided into one motorized infantry brigade, one artillery brigade, one mechanized infantry regiment, and one missile regiment. Furthermore, 500 T-90 MBTs and 1,000 armored vehicles such as IFVs and APCs were to be stationed there. And so would 150 ADVs (air defense vehicles) such as short-, medium-, and long-range SAM launchers, 100 fixed howitzers, and 200 self-propelled howitzers. Finally, a squadron of Sukhoi Su-27 multirole fighters, a squadron of Su-30 air superiority fighters, a squadron of Mikoyan MiG-31 interceptors, and one squadron of Tupolev Tu-160 bombers were to be stationed in Putingrad.

 

Likewise, 30,000 troops and personnel in the Protectorate of Livonia would remain there for the long term. They would be divided into three motorized infantry brigades, two artillery brigades, two mechanized infantry regiments, two artillery regiments, and a naval infantry regiment, the latter which would be tasked with manning, maintaining, and defending the Baltic Wall alongside Army engineers. Moreover, 800 MBTs, 700 IFVs and APCs, and 700 ADVs would be stationed in the protectorate, and so would three squadrons of Su-27s, two squadrons of MiG-31s, and a T-160 bomber squadron. 

 

Accordingly, 20,000 troops and personnel would begin relocation from the Protectorate to mainland Muscovy, and the same went for 8,000 from Putingrad. Likewise, aircrafts, tanks, vehicles, and other heavy equipment that weren't included in the authorized deployment plan would be relocated to Muscovy as well. 

 

(OOC: 4 of 7 posts regarding Kaliningrad/Putingrad)

[JEDCJT]

CLASSIFIED

 

Over the hours since the collapse of the Ukraine, Muscovite troops, numbering 30,000 troops and personnel (along with MBTs, ADVs, IFVs, APCs, and other heavy equipment) steadily took over control of the Ukrainian steppes through either ground transports or through transport aircrafts. The major cities of Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Donetsk were the first to come under Muscovite military control, followed by Dnepropetrovsk, Poltava, Cherkasy, and Mariupol. Then came the major urban center of Kiev; the Mariyinsky Palace would become the nucleus of a protectorate government. Zhitomir, Kherson, Odessa, Vinnitsa, and Ternopil. The occupation of Lviv, Rivne, Lutsk, and other cities signaled that the entire Ukraine was under Moscow's control. To help reinforce the protectorate troops, a further 40,000 troops would be sent into the Ukraine.

 

Martial law would be proclaimed across the Ukraine, on a temporary basis, as a way for military and civilian protectorate officials to maintain order until a civil protectorate government was constituted. Several squadrons of Su-30 fighters and MiG-31 interceptors, supported by AWACs, EWACs, and UAVs, would conduct periodic CAPs to safeguard Ukrainian airspace in cooperation with Babylonian aircrafts. All Ukrainian border guards would receive orders to remain at their posts and to continue work at the checkpoints alongside the Ukrainian borders; Border Troops personnel would be dispatched to ensure continued administration of border checkpoints. Senior government members would be arrested across mainland Ukraine and detained by Army troopers, auxiliary police officers, and Third Department officials, and would be await transportation to Muscovy. Among them was former Ukrainian premier Svetlana Kondratyuk, Kim Shwetz, Yuri Kozel, and Valentyn Kaminski; they would face several charges of "criminal stupidity", and "crimes against peace and common sense." All Ukrainian senior and junior military officers of the Ukrainian military would be placed under military arrest and detained in highly-secure facilities. The Ukrainian military itself would be dissolved, and its soldiers demobilized.

 

The Babylonian and Alvonian governments would be informed of this through highly-secure channels. European Community security members would be notified of this next, with the Ukrainian representative being recalled back home.

 

(OOC: 2 of 7 posts regarding the Ukraine)

[JEDCJT]

Local elections held in Putingrad

 

PUTINGRAD - Elections were held for Putingrad's legislature, the City Council of Deputies. Under the supervision of Governor-General Alexander Yaroshuk, United Muscovy (UNM) won over 47.6 percent of the forty seats (19 out of 40), followed by the Russian Unity Party (RUP)'s 22.3% (9 out of 40), the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)'s 16.1% (7 out of 40), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP)'s 14% (5 out of 40). Half of the deputies were elected in single-mandate electoral constituencies, and another half in the general regional constituency under proportional representation. UNM deputy Marina Orgejewa was elected chairperson of the City Council, and will send over a deputy to represent Putingrad in the State Council of Muscovy.
 
On a related note, the Muscovite parliament voted to pass the Muscovite Political Parties Act, which stipulates that a political party have at least 50,000 members and 45 regional branches with more than 500 members, in order to participate in elections at all levels. Tsar Mikhail Ivanovich Romanov signed it into law. The Act will apply to future legislative elections in Putingrad as with other cities and towns.
 
(OOC: 5 of 7 posts regarding Kaliningrad/Putingrad)

Edited August 20, 2014 by JEDCJT