Chapter One
2023. Day one
Colonel-General Surovikin, the Commander of the front, Lieutenant-General Gerasimov, his chief of Staff, and Major-General Akhmat Apty Alaudinov (50), the commander of the special forces, are sitting in the office.
SURAVIKIN
To support local law enforcement agencies in the fight against a terrorist group that has infiltrated across the border and launched a series of attacks on civilians. Major General Alaudinov, I am ordering your unit to go to the Belogorovka area, which has recently been occupied by the enemy, and fight to dislodge it from this square. Strengthen and organize defensive positions. And wait for the arrival of our main troops.
ALAUDINOV
And when to move out?
GERASIMOV
Two hours of preparation and get up to march. You will be in direct contact with us. With artillery, also tell us the coordinates of the shelling.
ALAUDINOV
And what does intelligence say?
GERASIMOV
Intelligence reports that there is no special concentration of militants and armored vehicles in this square.
The defensive positions captured by the drone show that this place was not prepared in advance, and there are no concrete basement shelters.
SURAVIKIN
This area is located on a hill and it is very convenient to conduct artillery attacks from it. According to radio intelligence, anti-aircraft systems are to be deployed there within three days to bombard the City of Donetsk and other frontline settlements. Your task is to pull together enemy formations as much as possible for a massive artillery bombardment.
GERASIMOV
Is the task clear?
ALAUDINOV
That's right.
GERASIMOV
Then do it… And God bless you.
ALAUDINOV
Wa antum fa jazakumu Allahu khairan.
Apty Alaudinov leaves the Headquarters tent. The sharp morning air greets him on the doorstep, but his gaze is firm and determined. As soon as he appears, his commanders approach him – experienced military men who have grown stronger in the harsh conditions of service.
ALAUDINOV
I welcome you. The Commander-in-Chief's order is clear and requires immediate execution. We're mobilizing. We don't have much time, every minute counts.
The commanders nod in response, their faces reflecting an understanding of the seriousness of the situation.
COMMANDER 1
Understood, Comrade Colonel. We will begin preparations immediately.
