News from Volkia

Southern_Yugoslavia · June 18, 2014, 8:14am

Volkgoroda United defeats FC Kulikova 3-2

In a stunning upset, Volkgoroda United defeated FC Kulikova 3-2.

Heavily favored FC Kulikova took the lead early in the match with two goals by the end of the first half. Trailing by two, Volkgoroda United fought hard to catch back up. When it appeared all was lost, a penalty kick taken by Arkadi Kozlov at 80’ put Volkgoroda United on the board. An equalizing goal was scored at 87’ by Alexi Lobov. The clincher was a header, scored by Peter Timpfeyev off a corner shot at 89’.

This victory puts Volkgoroda United at the top of their conference, putting FC Kulikova into second of theirs.

Southern_Yugoslavia · July 5, 2014, 7:45am

Kerilo Accord ratified by Federation Assembly

The Federation Assembly ratified the military pact signed by President Kreskov in Kerilo, Vekaiyu during the conference between leaders of the coalition against Dveria.

Kreskov and other leaders signed the agreement on June 29, 2014. The ratification by the Federation Assembly followed this morning. The ratification officially recognizes the pact and its language.

The Dverian state of Ygori was officially annexed following the ratification, and has been given the status of an autonomous krai. Steps will be taken over a period of 12 months to fully integrate the territory into the Federation.

Southern_Yugoslavia · July 9, 2014, 5:18am

Hip hop feud leads to 11 dead, 29 injured, 16 arrested in Amatka nightclub gun battle

Eleven people, including feuding rap stars Rekognize and Noize, were killed when the rappers had an armed confrontation near the bar in the Lights, Music and Dance! Nightclub.

Each rappers’ posse drew concealed guns and began shooting when a verbal confrontation grew violent between the two groups. Police were called almost immediately, the Amatka Skopa unit responding. Police entered the nightclub and exchanged fire briefly with the two posses before a mass surrender of the shooters.

Six bystanders were declared dead on arrival, one other was declared dead on the scene. Rekognize and Noize were declared dead on the scene, as well as two of Rekognize’s posse members. Ten posse members were injured, as well as 19 bystanders. All 16 surviving posse members were arrested. No officers were injured.

It’s expected they all will be indicted on the murders of the nine bystanders and two rappers, as well as for all innocent bystanders injured in the battle.

Southern_Yugoslavia · July 25, 2014, 5:46am

Report: Violence growing against lupines in Bastok and Glubina

An AGS (Foreign Intelligence Service) report on the Autonomous Republic of Bastok and Glubina, one of several republics to make up the Union of the Islands, has shown that attacks on lupines by the Union central government have increased 15 percent since March.

Reports of lupine businesses being shut down, families taken from their homes in the middle of the night, and even alleged state sanctioned murder has taken place on the two islands, prompting local law makers to begin distancing themselves from the Union central government.

Many activists have been placed into protective custody by the local, pro-lupine government. These activists are reportedly for either total independence or joining the Laiatanese Federation as provinces. Sentiments from the latter stem back to the times when the islands were under Laiatanese control during the transitional period following the Laiatanese Revolution and were lost during the brutal Islander War of Aggression.

Many activists that want to join Laiatan are part of a growing movement that has called itself the Lupines for Righting History’s Wrongs, or the LRHW.

Laiatan has maintained its claim on the islands since they were lost in 1753, and has filed a formal complaint with the Union government. It has also declared formal support of the Bastok and Glubina government, and the Kreskov administration has declared it “will defend our brothers and sisters in Bastokglubina by any means necessary.”

Just a day following Kreskov’s statement, reports show that some shifting of units has occurred in the West and South Military Districts.

Lupine majority (gray) areas in Bastok and Glubina.

Southern_Yugoslavia · August 8, 2014, 3:13am

Breaking: SZE troops deployed to Bastok and Glubina in response to open fighting

The Department of Defense has announced that three battalions of Spezialzekeinheit (SZE) troops have been deployed to the islands of Bastok and Glubina in response to fighting between the islands’ militia and central government forces.

Shortly after 1:00 am LST, the first of 1,500 SZE troops landed at Bastok International Airport, which had been secured by Bastokian militia just hours before. A forward base was established at the airport, and by 5:00 am LST the airport and surrounding area had been secured by the SZE. The DoD confirmed that more troops will be committed to stabilizing the situation on the islands and provide protection during the referendum scheduled by the Bastok and Glubina Parliament to whether the islands will go on as an independent unity or to seek unification with Laiatan.

The DoD also reported that shots were exchanged between the SZE and the Union government forces, though no casualties were reported by either side. Union forces reportedly pulled back as the SZE swept through the neighboring areas of the airport, and have established solid lines backed by armored vehicles. The SZE is reported to have a small number of light armored fighting vehicles for support.

The fighting, which began last week, has killed nearly 40 soldiers on both sides, and wounded another 120. Fifty civilians have been killed, and at least 1,000 have been displaced.

Southern_Yugoslavia · August 20, 2014, 5:58am

More troops headed to Bastok and Glubina as fighting intensifies, two Laiatanese soldiers killed in skirmish

Following a skirmish between Laiatanese and Union forces that led to the death of two Laiatanese soldiers, the Federation Assembly approved an increase in troop deployments to Bastok and Glubina.

Following the capture of the main square in Glazovo, the capitol city of the islands, by local militia, the SZE moved in to establish a field hospital and supply point for the citizens of the city. The soldiers came under fire from Union troops, who reportedly mistook the SZE troops for local militia. The SZE returned fire in accordance to their rules of engagement. The skirmish took place over a period of five minutes, and by the end the Union troops realized their mistake and pulled back.

The two soldiers, Captain Pyotr Fedorev and Sergeant Kiril Yamovsky, were evacuated by air to another field hospital at the Bastok International Airport. Fedorev was declared dead on arrival and Yamovsky died while undergoing emergency surgery.

The Department of Defense announced that several divisions of Laiatanese troops will be arriving on the islands within the next few weeks in response to the attack. It also announced that at least 500 soldiers from the 12th Airborne Division had landed at the airport, and nearly 3,000 more troops were expected to arrive by the end of the week.

Southern_Yugoslavia · August 30, 2014, 7:53am

Defense official confirms reports of invasion of Bastok and Glubina

Following multiple reports of heavy fighting in several Bastokian and Glubinan coastal towns between Union troops and a force widely believed to be elements of the Laiatanese Marine Corps, the Laiatanese Department of Defense confirmed that the country is currently executing an operation to take the islands.

The Defense official, unnamed as he is not authorized to speak on the subject to the press, confirmed that elements of the Laiatanese Marine Corps began a landing operation in cooperation with local militia forces who seized control of several ports in multiple coastal towns across the two islands.

The invasion comes ten days following the deaths of two SZE operators, though the official admitted the operation had been in the planning stage for some time.

The official also confirmed the country was behind airstrikes along the northern coast to support militia advances to take several villages.

Southern_Yugoslavia · September 24, 2014, 4:18am

Kazakavo rebels announce capture of Premier Anton Barinov

GLAZOVO, KAZAKAVO ISLANDS - The Free Bastokian Army announced early this morning that Premier Anton Barinov, head of the brutal Barinov regime in the Islands, has been captured.

Barinov was reportedly captured in a late-night raid on a small village near the Vilkas Bluffs, a predominately human area and relatively far from the fighting. Rebels report that their forces engaged in a firefight with several armed bodyguards before getting into the target house where small caliber pistol rounds were fired at them from a bedroom. The rebels tossed a flash bang grenade into the bedroom, and entered after Barinov was disabled. After being detained, the rebels and Barinov were evacuated from the area via helicopter.

The FBA maintains that they performed the operation alone, though witnesses in the village reported multiple masked men who appeared “very elite” and “highly trained.” Another witness identified the helicopter used in the operation to be a NH-57 Jaguar, the main utility helicopter of the Laiatanese military. Some believe that the Spezialzekeinheit was heavily involved in the operation, though the SZE denies this.

(OOC: See RP post that will be up probably tomorrow.)

Criminal charges not filed in A-12 accident

KUCHATA, KEKUR - The Kuchata County district attorney announced that no criminal charges will be filed against the man that hit a motorcyclist on the A-12 after his vehicle swerved into the motorcycle as he was reaching for his phone.

The man, identified as Yuri Trufanov, a forty-eight year old mechanic, was reaching for his cell phone after it fell onto the floor of his car when he swerved into the lane next to him, striking the motorcycle in the lane. The motorcyclist was rolled onto the hood and ended up in the road as Trufanov’s car came to a stop. Traffic came to a full stop and remained backed up for nearly two hours. The motorcyclist is reportedly in good condition at Kuchata Hospital.

Though criminal charges have not been filed, the family of the motorcyclist confirmed that they will be suing Trufanov.

Southern_Yugoslavia · September 25, 2014, 6:39am

Anton Barinov transferred into federal custody

GLAZOVO, KAZAKAVO ISLANDS - Early this morning, Free Bastokian Army rebels handed former Premier of the Kazakavo Islands over to federal authorities to face multiple criminal charges.

Barinov, captured late last night by FBA rebels in a village on the Vilkas Bluffs, was considered to be the highest priority target for Laiatanese ground forces. General Kresnik Seitz, Barinov’s second in command, is said to have now taken that position and is actively being hunted by rebel and Laiatanese regulars.

Barinov was charged with war crimes and crimes against lupines last week by the Department of Justice, and will likely be facing trial by a military tribunal sometime next week.

The Department of Justice announced it will be seeking the death penalty against him.

Southern_Yugoslavia · October 9, 2014, 9:24am

Kazakavo Islands status referendum results: Federalization

GLAZOVO, KAZAKAVO ISLANDS - Following the status referendum ordered by the Kazakavo Transitional Council, it has been determined that the Kazakavo Islands will begin taking steps to reintegrate with the Laiatanese Federation.

The referendum results surprised nobody in either the Islands or Laiatan, considering how closely tied the people of the Islands are to the Federation. Every lupine majority oblast within the Islands voted for Federalization, while the human majority oblasts voted to continue on the path of independence. The Federation Assembly will likely meet by the end of the week to vote on beginning to reincorporate the Kazakavo Islands back into the Federation.

Prior to the Laiatanese Civil War in 1850, the Islands were part of the Laiatanese Empire. They declared their independence unilaterally, and it was never recognized by either side in the War. Following the establishment of the Federation in 1856, the Islands were considered to be part of the Federation, though they received no representation because they were under the control of another government.

Recognizing this, political analysts are predicting that the Islands will be brought into the Federation officially by the Federation Assembly.

Southern_Yugoslavia · October 18, 2014, 11:49pm

Federation Assembly approves Kazakavo Islands reintegration request

VOLKGORODA, LAIATAN - The Federation Assembly has approved the request of the Kazakavo Islands to be reintegrated into the Federation.

The Islands, originally an oblast under the Laiatanese Empire, will be reintroduced as an oblast under the Federation. The Federation Assembly has set up a timeline for the reintegration of the Islands to roughly eight months. The government has already been working with the Kazakavo Transitional Council to set up elections for governor, Federal Councilmen and People’s Councilmen.

The Islands will be the eighteenth oblast in the Federation, and would be the ninth largest administrative division by population, with a population of twelve million. Sixty-five percent of the population is lupine, the remaining thirty-five percent are human. The oblast will have the largest human population in the country.

The announcement of the vote resulted in pro-Laiatan parades in the capital city, as well as several major cities. Anti-Laiatan protests popped up as well, though Laiatanese troops maintained the peace between the two groups.

Southern_Yugoslavia · November 14, 2014, 4:10am

Anton Barinov found guilty by Laiatanese military tribunal

VOLKGORODA, LAIATAN - Anton Barinov, the former premier of the once independent Kazakavo Islands, has been found guilty by a military tribunal consisting of Laiatanese officers as well as several officers from the Free Bastokian Army.

Barinov was found guilty on all charges, including charges of war crimes and crimes against lupines. Evidence of mass graves and executions contributed as evidence against Barinov, as did first hand accounts from massacre survivors and Barinov government soldiers.

Four other high ranking members of Barinov’s government were found guilty with him, as were several lower ranking military officers. All were charged with war crimes and crimes against lupines.

Barinov and the high ranking members of his government were sentenced to death by hanging, while the military officers were sentenced to death by firing squad. The condemned are being held in the Korov Federal Correctional Facility in Elita Oblast, where they will be executed by the federal government.

Southern_Yugoslavia · November 16, 2014, 9:25am

Hostages rescued following Marine raid

ACHT, KAZAKAVO - Fourteen hostages were rescued early this morning following a raid by Laiatanese marines on the vessel they were being held on.

The hostages were Acht City Police officers captured by members of the pro-Anton Barinov terrorist group Free Kaza, an organization that has sprouted up in the past two months in an attempt to push out Laiatan from the Islands. The group has been slammed by local politicians, both lupine and human, for their acts and political stance.

The hostages were taken sometime Wednesday evening, and a ransom was called in to the ACP to free all political prisoners, including Barinov. The ransom was quickly passed on to the federal government. A rescue plan was drawn up, and President Kreskov approved the operation Saturday morning. It began at approximately 12:00 am Sunday, and the hostages were rescued by 12:10 am. Three of nine terrorists involved were killed on the vessel by the Marines, while the rest were hospitalized for their wounds and are currently in federal custody.

Terrorism is an offense punishable by death in Laiatan.

Intelligence reports out of the Laiatan indicate that Free Kaza is one of two terrorist groups fighting to end Laiatanese rule in the Islands. The Govenor-General of the Islands, General Kiril Kirilovich Novmansky of the Laiatanese Army, announced the military on the Islands will be taking steps to crush Free Kaza and its sister organization Independence within the next two months. Novmansky said that some operations are already underway, and that both terrorist groups have suffered heavy casualties in skirmishes with Laiatanese troops.

It is believed that most of the weaponry and manpower these groups have come from remnants of the Barinov regime’s military and special forces.

Car bomb kills forty in Glazovo ahead of president’s visit

GLAZOVO, KAZAKAVO - A car bomb set off in the oblast capital Glazovo mere hours before President Zakhari Kreskov’s plane was to land at Glazovo International killed forty people, Glazovo Times reports.

The car bomb was detonated at approximately 9:39 PM on Yaris Avenue near the popular dance club Tsche, killing forty people and causing thousands of rublas in damages. The terrorist group Free Kaza took responsibility for the bombing via a tape received at the Live Kazakavo television studio. Kresnik Seitz, self proclaimed leader of the group appears on camera, praising the “good work” of the terrorists. He also vowed more killings unless Barinov and other DPRKI (Democratic People’s Republic of the Kazakavo Islands) officials were released.

Seitz was Barinov’s former second in command, and controlled the DPRKI military while Barinov was in power. He is currently the most wanted man on the Federal Investigation Service’s Most Wanted.

Kreskov is still expected to visit Glazovo, and he ordered that all flags across the country be flown at half-staff following the bombing.

Southern_Yugoslavia · December 14, 2014, 8:04am

Anton Barinov and former DPRKI officials executed

SALBA - One month after their convictions by a Laiatanese military tribunal, former DPRKI officials and Anton Barinov were executed for their crimes by the federal government.

Barinov and his fellow officials were convicted exactly one month ago by a Laiatanese military tribunal for war crimes and crimes against lupines. All nine men were executed at the Kalashnikovo Federal Correctional Facility located roughly twenty miles outside of Salba, Elita. The executions were carried out by several unidentified volunteers from the Laiatanese Army. The military officials were declared dead at 5:34 PM by firing squad, while Barinov and his fellow government officials were declared dead at 5:37 PM by hanging.

News of the executions quickly reached the Kazakavo Islands, where both celebration and violence broke out. Military units still occupying the Islands were called in to disperse multiple crowds following reports of violence and looting. In connection with the executions, the military also launched several operations against the local terror group Free Kaza and its sister group Independence.

Southern_Yugoslavia · December 26, 2014, 9:19am

Laiatanese troops deployed to Vekaiyun border provinces

CAVIRU - President Kreskov has announced the deployment of Laiatanese troops in the Vekaiyun provinces of Caviru and Tuko, both located on the Alleghany border.

Following growing tensions between the Vekaiyun Union and Pax-Draconia, Vekaiyun premier Ikrisia Levinile requested military assistance from fellow Kerilo nations. President Kreskov and the Federation Assembly answered the call to arms, sending roughly ten thousand troops to beef up Vekaiyun defensive positions along the Alleghanian border.

The Federation Assembly approved a maximum of twenty thousand troops to be deployed to Vekaiyu, though the president decided to send only ten thousand. They are based at several military bases as approved by the Vekaiyun legislature, and it is expected they will remain in a defensive position.

Southern_Yugoslavia · February 22, 2015, 10:09am

Vechna mayor indicted on federal corruption charges

VECHNA - Vechna mayor Matvei Anastasiy, a recent addition to the Vechna local government, has been indicted by the Federal Ministry of Justice on multiple charges for corruption.

Anastasiy, 32, has been indicted on sixteen different counts including racketeering and money laundering charges. Elected in 2013, he first grabbed the attention of the Federal Ministry of Justice when a voicemail from a well known criminal was leaked from his office in early 2014. The federal government continued gathering evidence, and issued an arrest warrant for Anastasiy last week. He turned himself in the day after the warrant was issued.

The city council is currently running the city in Anastasiy’s abscence, though it may impeach him following his arrest and indictment.

Southern_Yugoslavia · March 8, 2015, 1:08am

Drunk driver gets 40 to 80 years for fatal wreck

For Reliable News Network, Yulia Dagestovina

POGOST - A 20-year-old man was sentenced yesterday to 40 to 80 years in prison for a drunk driving crash that left four teens dead in January 2014.

Lukyan Dudko pleaded guilty to two counts of felony DUI with death and two counts of felony DUI with substantial bodily harm in February. Prosecutors lowered two other counts of felony DUI with death to the substantial bodily harm charges as part of a deal.

The plea deal means that Dudko will not be eligible for parole until he is 60 years old.

The accident led to the deaths of all four passengers in the IzH Pathfinder (left).
The victims were Vitaliy Averin (18), Ilya Obukhov (19), Sasha Martyushev (19), and Raisa Garanin (18).

District Judge Alyona Kublanov ordered the lengthy term, which was agreed to by prosecutors and Dudko’s defense lawyer. Dudko’s sentence continues the precedent of harsh punishments for DUI offenders that have become more common over the past ten years.

Kublanov also ordered Dudko to pay 75,000 rublas in restitution and fines. She also said that if released, Dudko will be required to install a breathalyzer or an ignition interlock device on any vehicles he owns for five years. He was given credit for already serving 420 days in jail.

Dudko, dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit with his arms and legs shackled, said “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He also wrote personal apology letters to each of the families of the victims.

The mother of Vitaliy Averin, Katrina Averin, testified at the hearing about the loss of her 18-year-old son. Weeping, Katrina said there were not enough words to describe the loss of her son, but she said she knew Dudko didn’t intend to kill her son or his friends. She recognized Dudko’s own family was suffering tremendous loss as well. “We know it was an honest mistake. Sometimes things happen. There’s no going back. That doesn’t make what you did okay,” Katrina said, “but we forgive you.”

In addition to 18-year-old Vitaliy Averin, the other victims were 19-year-old Ilya Obukhov, 19-year-old Sasha Martyushev, and 18-year-old Raisa Garanin.

Southern_Yugoslavia · April 3, 2015, 6:06am

Kresnik Seitz killed in operation against Free Kaza

For Reliable News Network, Danil Lubashkov

VASILOVO - Following a military operation undertaken by the Laiatanese Air Force and Army Kresnik Seitz, leader of the terror organization Free Kaza, has been confirmed as KIA.

The military has not released much information concerning the operation, besides acknowledging the Seitz’s death at the hands of the Laiatanese military and the general location of the operation.

Military sources confirmed that at approximately 11:15 PM, the Air Force struck multiple buildings under the control of Free Kaza before the Army pushed in to mop up stragglers. The military did not confirm whether or not it knew Seitz was in one of the buildings.

Rumors have begun circulating throughout the country, one of the most subscribed being the idea that the operation was a kill mission for Seitz.

Seitz and Free Kaza have been responsible for much of the unrest still remaining in Kazakavo after the takeover by Laiatanese forces. Free Kaza took ownership of a car bomb attack back in 2014 that killed forty, as well as several smaller bombings and skirmishes with Laiatanese troops. Over the months, these attacks have mostly been localized to Vasilovo and the Vasil Peninsula.

Hopefully the death of Seitz will bring about the end to the terrorism still occurring in the Kazakavo Islands.

Southern_Yugoslavia · April 5, 2015, 6:20am

Free Kaza attacks military convoy, fail to seize supplies

For Reliable News Network, Danil Lubashkov

VASILOVO - In response to the killing of Kresnik Seitz by the Laiatanese military, Free Kaza attacked an army convoy moving from Vasilovo to Leshki.

At approximately 1:08 am LST, an estimated one hundred Free Kaza militants assaulted a large army convoy using technicals and rocket propelled grenades. The attack caused the convoy to come to a complete stop on the freeway connecting the two cities, and Laiatanese troops returned fire. Roughly fifty Laiatanese soldiers were tasked with defending the convoy at the time of the attack. Two attack helicopters from the nearby army base were scrambled and assisted in fighting off the attackers.

Four Laiatanese soldiers were killed in the skirmish, while another fifteen were wounded. The military estimates twenty militants were killed, with another thirty being wounded.

The convoy was delivering supplies to the army base in Leshki from the larger base in Vasilovo.

Free Kaza’s motive is believed to be a retaliation strike against the Laiatanese military, as well as an attempt to capture the supplies on board the trucks.

Smaller skirmishes with militants occurred in Free Kaza’s area of control around Vasilovo, but no deaths were reported by the military.

Southern_Yugoslavia · April 11, 2015, 11:17pm

Man exonerated after 18 years on death row

For Reliable News Network, Yulia Dagestovina

ZAKRUT, KORTOV - A federal judge has exonerated 36 year old Dominik Zavragin, placed on death row following his conviction for first degree murder in 1997.

DNA evidence recovered in 1997 was finally tested after his third appeal was granted by the Third Federal Appelette Court. At the time, DNA testing was not able to test the small amount of DNA left by the perpetrator. After testing was completed, it was revealed that the DNA evidence did not match Zavragin.

Zavrigan was convicted at 18 on largely circumstantial evidence and eyewitness testimony that put him near the crime scene. The DNA testing revealed that the DNA belonged to Matvey Kaverin, an inmate who was killed in the 2001 Zakrut Prison Riot. Kaverin was incarcerated in 1998 for an unrelated weapons charge.

Zavrigan was released from the Zakrut Provincial Prison yesterday morning into the arms of supporters and his family. He announced he will not be suing the prosecution’s office because it did not have the capabilities to test the DNA evidence. Due to his wrongful conviction and exoneration, the province of Kortov has awarded Zavrigan one million rublas in damages.