Situation Report
Location: Belmorra Island, North Pacific
History of the region
Belmorra Island, once a remote outpost of the Soviet Union, strategically positioned deep into the pacific past Kuril Islands, declared independence during the chaotic dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite its isolated position, the island's leadership initially clung to Soviet values, creating a rigid, state-controlled society. However, the past two decades have seen a dramatic shift in Belmorra’s trajectory.
Under a series of reformist governments, Belmorra gradually transitioned toward a Western-style democracy, adopting capitalist principles and modernising its infrastructure. These reforms attracted international investment, transforming Belmorra into a crucial trading hub in the North Pacific. The UK, among other Western nations, has maintained close diplomatic and intelligence relations with Belmorra, utilising the island as a forward intelligence base due to its proximity to Russia. The Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) has operated several radar and electronic surveillance stations across the island under a "no questions asked" policy from Belmorra's leadership, providing critical intelligence on Russian activities in the region to UK intelligence and members of Five Eyes (FVEY) in return for added security and funding.
Known countries and factions operating
Armed Forces of Belmorra [AFB]
- Military parade after the coup (image)
- Training exercise using new and old equipment (image)
- Officers training exercise (image)
Belmorra People's Unity Party [BPUP]
- Political Leader: Viktor Ivanov (image - first rally and speech after the coup)
Democratic Union of Belmorra [DUB]
- Political Leader: Lucas Romanov (image - public speech before arrest)
Belmorra Freedom Fighters [BLF]
- Rebel Leader: Dmitri Cross (image - webcam footage during a raid of Romanov's house)
Belmorra civilian population [Belmorran's]
- Town of Beletskiy during the coup (image)
Current Situation
Political Climate:
The political climate in Belmorra has drastically shifted with the election of Viktor Ivanov, a staunch nationalist and former military officer. Ivanov, leveraging the lingering Soviet nostalgia among certain segments of the population, campaigned on a platform of reclaiming the island’s "true identity," accusing the pro-Western elites of betraying Belmorra’s founding values for personal gain. His rhetoric struck a chord with many in the military and older generations, who felt alienated by the rapid modernisation and increasing Western influence.
Election Manipulation and Rise to Power:
As Ivanov’s campaign gained momentum, an alarming series of events unfolded. In the final days of the election, multiple radio stations and broadcasting networks were digitally hijacked, spreading unfounded conspiracies about foreign interference in the election, particularly focusing on UK citizens residing on the island. This led to a wave of nationalist fervour, culminating in the military and police—many of whom are aligned with Ivanov’s ideology—rounding up and detaining suspected foreign voters, including UK citizens.
After a highly questionable vote count, in which military forces occupied key election facilities and broadcasting stations across the island, establishing the Belmorra State News which repeatedly broadcast Ivanov's declared victory. Immediately following his declaration, Ivanov initiated a purge of the judiciary, arresting judges and legal officials on trumped-up charges of election malpractice. With the courts effectively neutralised and his political opponents imprisoned, Ivanov has dismantled the last remnants of democratic checks and balances, consolidating his power.
Protests and Repression:
In response to Ivanov's apparent coup, Lucas Romanov, the leader of the Democratic Union of Belmorra party and a prominent pro-democracy advocate, organised a series of protests across Belmorra Island. These protests, aimed at challenging the legitimacy of Ivanov's election and defending the island’s democratic institutions, quickly gained traction among the population, especially in the capital and key urban centres.
However, the government moved swiftly to suppress these demonstrations. Ivanov deployed military units to key locations, enforcing strict curfews and cracking down on protestors with extreme prejudice. Romanov’s efforts to galvanise public opposition were met with brutal force, resulting in numerous arrests and a significant loss of life. The protests were effectively quelled within days, leaving the population intimidated and subdued.
Raid on Romanov’s Residence:
Following the suppression of the protests, Ivanov’s regime targeted Lucas Romanov directly. In a early morning raid on his residence, government forces stormed his home, arresting Romanov and seizing critical documents and communications equipment. During the raid, Dmitri Cross, Romanov’s closest confidant and a key figure in establishing Belmorra Freedom Fighters, was killed. Cross, a former military officer with direct connections to UK intelligence, had been working with Romanov to organise a potential armed rebellion should the protests fail and Ivanov's coup succeed.
Cross’s death is a significant blow to the opposition. He was instrumental in coordinating with UK intelligence assets, providing crucial human intelligence, prior military knowledge and logistical support for any resistance efforts. His killing not only decapitates the leadership of the nascent rebellion but also severely compromised initial UK operations.
Military Developments:
Under Ivanov’s leadership, Belmorra is rapidly re-militarising. He has reinstated Soviet-style conscription, compelling young men into military service, and has funnelled resources into scaling up the production of military equipment using the heavily funded industry brought to the island by Western nations. Belmorra's military doctrine now emphasises the use of state of the art technology and defence systems to compensate for its somewhat limited manpower. Ivanov’s government has already secured several arms deals, significantly enhancing the island’s anti-air and air capabilities.
The election of Viktor Ivanov and the subsequent crackdown on Western influences present a significant threat to UK operations and interests in Belmorra. GCHQ’s installed assets on the island are now at risk of being compromised, personnel stationed are either imprisoned along side citizens or have gone into hiding to avoid capture, and the safety of UK nationals remains a critical concern. Ivanov’s alignment with Soviet-era ideals and his aggressive stance towards the West increase the likelihood of Belmorra falling back under Russian influence or even facing direct military intervention from Moscow.
Strategic Command has deployed relevant assets to intervene and prioritise actions that safeguard UK interests and prevent further destabilisation of the region. It's immediate goals are as follows:
- To conduct small operations that have a large impact on Belmorra military assets and positions across the island
- Prepare for the rapid extraction of GCHQ equipment
- Locate and extract GCHQ personnel and UK nationals
- Identify and secure new lines of communication to what may remain of the resistance elements Dmitri Cross and Lucas Romanov attempted to establish and if located, provide logistical support to their cause
Image credits:
- E. Krok (twitter)