While the Imperator’s away…

[Imperator Azenquor]

[quote][b]To: President Malenkov of the United Socialist Republic of Siberia
Fr: The Office of the Imperator of the Serene Republic
Re: Escalation of Military Operations[/b]

On behalf of the government of the Serene Republic, I express my sincere thanks for your support. The support of the USRS, as one of our regional allies, is greatly appreciated as we confront the threats facing our nation.

Regarding the military situation on the ground, I believe that the combined might of our forces and those forces from the United Federation of the East is more than enough to destroy the remaining rebel forces and to restore order to the southern provinces of the Serene Republic. Accordingly we do not foresee the situation deteriorating to the point where we may request military assistance from the USRS. However we acknowledge the deployment of USRS forces to the border and express our support for such deployments as a backup mechanism to ensure that rebel elements do not seek to violate the borders of the USRS. We have increased our security presence along the border as well, and we have temporarily halted cross border traffic in areas of potential vulnerabilities.

I have made all respective military commanders aware of the USRS deployments and have instructed the military liaison to the Vaulian Embassy in the USRS to act as a conduit of secure information between our two militaries.

Additionally, as a precautionary measure, security precautions in the Embassy Quarter of the capital have been strengthened in order to protect diplomats and their embassies in the capital city. At this time there are no specific threats against the embassies, however we have sought to increase security there nonetheless. On behalf of the Vaulian Diplomatic Corps and the Guardians of the Peace of the Serene Republic (GPSR), we apologize for any inconvenience caused by the additional security precautions in the capital and for any travel delays or difficulties that diplomats at their respective embassies encounter as a result.

Once again, I sincerely appreciate your invaluable support. I wish you the best.

Sincerely,
Pyotr R.I.
[/quote]

[b]***The Southern Front***[/b]

With the situation involving the Kingdom of Cochin deteriorating as time progressed, it became an even more urgent matter to defeat General Stepashin’s forces in the southern provinces as quickly as possible. To aid in this endeavor, the Military High Command took the unorthodox decision to use both the OZ and the Reserve Army forces in a single, large ground offensive into the remaining cities. With the limitations on using artillery and air strikes on civilian population centers, the decision was taken to shift focus to a street by street ground offensive.
Moments before the offensive was to take place, the Organization of the Zodiac forwarded a deployment update message to the UFE forces outlining the basic shift in the Vaulian ground operations and the new objectives.


[b]***Novosibirsk, Ulan-Ude, Irkutsk 6:04am***[/b]

With the three cities surrounded on all sides by Vaulian and allied forces, there was no chance of a rebel advance from within the cities. Instead rebel forces would hold their positions in the cities and force the government to take military action extremely close to major concentrations of civilians in the hopes of generating large enough casualties to dissuade the government from proceeding.

[b]***Novosibirsk***[/b]

Without any further warning, Operation Shield began. 15 BS-021Z UAVs patrolled the skies above the city, marking enemy positions ahead of the advance. After completing their initial sweeps over the city, the UAVs began their first attack wave targeting AA positions and large concentrations of ground forces in the city.

Around the outskirts of Novosibirsk, there were only a few enemy positions, with most of the rebel forces concentrated towards the center of the city and towards the military bunker network. After the fourth round of UAV strikes were completed, with the loss of only a single UAV, 10,000 troops of the OZ Leo division advanced into the city from all directions.

The Leo division forces were supported by additional UAV strikes and a carefully placed barrage of mortar fire as they cautiously advanced. They sacrificed speed for efficiency as they carefully searched each street and alley for concealed enemy positions. The rebels they encountered either engaged them in heavy firefights from fortified positions or simply fired from concealed positions on the upper floors of high rise buildings.

Once the main push into Novosibirsk was underway, a secondary force of 180 soldiers from the Special Forces boarded two B-26A transport helicopters. Once they made their final preparations, four B-330 attack helicopters were signaled to begin their assault.

The B-330s flew an almost straight line path to the center of the city attacking enemy troop positions along the way and clearing the path for the Special Forces. Minutes behind the B-330s, the B-26s took off and followed their path to the center of the city.

While under fire from the remaining concealed enemy positions near the city center, the two B-26s landed and unloaded their contingent of troops as the B-330s continued to provide covering fire. Without wasting any time, the soldiers rushed towards two of the entrances to the military bunker complex, easily dispatching the remaining soldiers outside of the bunker.

After a careful use of high explosives and ingenuity, 80 of the soldiers forced their way into the bunker complex underneath the center of the city. With the bunker breached, the soldiers moved towards the main command center and dispatched any enemy soldiers they encountered en route. In a matter of minutes the soldiers entered the main command and control facility and dispatched every enemy soldier in the room with the exception of General Stepashin himself. Cornered and with no clear escape strategy, General Stepashin reached for his pistol and aimed it at himself. Before he could fire, a soldier shot him in the leg and another tackled him to the ground.

Once the rebel general was restrained, the soldiers took control of the facility and transmitted new orders to all of the rebel soldiers in the city. The message was simple:

[i]“This is Novosibirsk Military Command. General G. Stepashin has been captured (ID: GS100233a), A. Antonov (ID: AA349122d), Y. Beria (ID: YB400230k) and M. Toplanek (ID: MT491028r) killed. Surrender immediately or be killed. 5 mins to comply.”[/i]

===

[b]VNN Breaking News: Former General captured![/b]

[i]"We have received the following breaking news story from the Defense Ministry, confirmed by the Interior Ministry spokesman. A few moments ago, the rebel leader and rogue former General Grigori Stepashin was captured in the city of Novosibirsk. We understand that the former General is under armed guard at an undisclosed location and that several of his deputies have been killed. Once again we have been informed that rogue General Grigori Stepashin has been captured in the city of Novosibirsk mere moments ago.

We will continue to monitor this breaking news story. I am Ray Porter reporting for VNN News."[/i]-R.Porter

Edited November 27, 2011 by Imperator Azenquor