[War] Russia: "Always the Quiet Ones"

[Michael Downey]

"Always the Quiet Ones"
Defence Minister Yoselev
Russian Federation
11 March 2014
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Yoselev was a very stern man. During his military career people
described him as a perfect stereotype for a Red Army General; cold,
emotionless, ruthless and demanding perfect performance and efficiency
from everyone. It was exactly that type of tenacity that had convinced
President Nemerenko to make the former Chief of the General Staff the
new Defence Minister when Dimitri Lentulov had stepped aside for
health reasons. To carry out the extensive military reforms planned by
the Nemerenko administration, a hard hand would be required.

It was a position that agreed with Yoselev. Finally he had the power
to make the changes he had so desperately wanted for the armed forces.
Somewhat to his chagrin, Nemerenko had made Yoselev give up his
military rank and become 'suit.' He was not the first civilian defence
minister in recent history but it was still a minority, with the
majority since Stalin being uniformed officers. It was a small price
to pay.

"So the Canadians are joining the nuclear club, eh?" said Yoselev as
he looked over the GRU report detailing the recent military activities
of the United States' younger brother. An arms build up on the scale
being proposed by Ottawa would certainly earn the scrutiny of any
military intelligence agency, especially since the Canadians shared an
attic with Russia.

"A little bit of a exaggeration, Comrade Minister," replied General
Amir Rezakaev with one of those charmingly false smiles the new
General Staff chief could produce on command. "The Canadians are
saying that they are committed to never acquire nuclear arms, and that
their acquisition of nuclear attack subs is purely meant for defensive
purposes."

"Defence against us," added in Yoselev. Who else would they need
nuclear weapons to defend against? China maybe, but it was Russia that
was competing with the Canadians for supremacy in the Arctic.

"We have no reason to think this is a sign of hostility on the part of
Canada," noted Rezakaev. "There's still a lot of distrust of us out
there because of everything that Putin did and we *have* gone a little
too far into Canadian territorial waters with our own nuclear boats."

There was something about Rezakaev that Yoselev didn't like. The
former commander of the Far East Military district was capable and
competent, no denying that, but he had a 'boyish charm' that rubbed
Yoselev the wrong way. That and he was Kazkah by birth and the son of
a Muslim, though maintained he was an atheist like most Russians, did
not sit well with  the Defence Minister.

"No matter how polite or docile a nation may seem, the moment they
start make eyes at our Arctic territory they are hostile, General
Rezakaev," said Yoselev sternly. Rezakaev simply smiled back
pleasantly.

"Well, regardless it will take time for the acquisition of such
advanced weapons such as Virginia-class submarines to be approved by
Congress. That and the heightened cost that the Americans are asking
will have to be approved by the Canadian House of Commons will take
time as well. Admiral Jorganov would be able to give you a more
accurate assessment, but I would guess at least a year before all the
political wrangling allows the deal to go ahead and at least another
five before General Dynamics can complete the order. By the way, how
is production of the Yasen-class proceeding?" The Yasen-class SSNs,
also know as Project 885 or 'Graney-class' among the NATO nations was
the newest Russian nuclear attack sub design.

"Three ships fully operational, a fourth entering sea trials in a few
months, and the hulls have been laid down for the remaining three,"
replied the Defence Minister.

"Seven to Canada's three," mused Rezakaev. "I think numbers are in our favour."

"Yes," replied Yoselev. "Unless the Americans should decide that
maybe, just maybe, they might, oh, I don't know, honor the *mutual
defence treaty* they have with the Canadians in the event that we
every went to war. It is the US Navy that has the largest arsenal of
nuclear attack subs in the world, right? Either them or Sweden.
Sometimes I get confused."

Rezakaev merely shrugged and maintained that sly little smile. Yoselev
felt like smashing a bottle of Vodka over the man's head but decided
such a move might be unprofessional.

"This thing in North Korea is going to be eating up a lot of the
President's time, but if everything blows over after Vladivostok I'm
going to ask the President to have a chat with Washington about this."

"If you say so, Comrade Minister," nodded General Rezakaev. He was a
solider; he did not make policy, he carried it out. "That's all I
really have to discuss at the moment."

Yoselev dismissed him with a wave. "Go, keep me updated if there is
anything new to report. And Rezakaev?"

"Yes Comrade Minister?"

"Make sure none of our subs get caught in Canadian waters anymore?"

"Of course Comrade Minister."
---

Actions:
1) Russia is a bit concerned over Canada trying to acquire nuclear
attack submarines but will hold its tongue for the moment
2) Russia will avoid sending subs into Canadian Northern territorial
waters, for the moment. Not that we ever did before, because we
didn't. *cough*