Novenadian Revolution

Novenadian Revolution
Novenadian forces outside their bunker in the Karjinian Mountains
Period
Midsummer 23rd, 2154 - Midsummer 27th, 2156 (2 years and 4 days)
Location		New Kalban Republic, Veiid
Result		Dissolution of NKR
Belligerents
Novenad			NKR
3rd National Army			1st National Army 2nd National Army
Strength
Casualties and Losses

The Novenadian Revolution was a civil war between the Varkrimeski-led New Kalban Republic and Novenad (then a coalition of states seeking independence from the NKR). It lasted just over a year from 2154 to 2156, incurring heavy losses for both sides. The Revolution resulted in the dissolution of the NKR and the creation of modern-day Novenad, as well as the secession of Sokovo and Southern Karjina from the NKR, with the two states promptly joining Fortis.

Background

Aleksander Varkrimeski seized power from the Yellow-Red Coalition on the 24th of Paril, 2153, and began a crusade against those in the NKR who didn't follow his interpretation of Patrism. His primary targets were prominent figures aligned with the Veiidic-Baskayan Church, but after a mental breakdown he soon began a campaign of terror against the general population. Varkrimeski announced on national television that he would "purify the religous community of the disgusting infidels who still believe in traditionalism." Fear permeated the nation, with most people locking their doors or fleeing their homes and cities in the following weeks. Varkrimeski sent the specially formed task force Religiosna Sila Prostichavan (Religious Purification Forces), composed of his most loyal squadrons and commanders, to round up anyone who had publicly promoted traditionalist views and threaten reprisals for those who refused to report traditionalist Patrists.

The independent nature of NKR provinces, religious persecution of prominent figures, and socio-economic instability brought on by the sudden change of leadership led to several breakaway states forming; Novenad, Belkagranic & Ladnovizen, Sokovo, and Southern Karjina, with the latter two seeking to join the Federal Republic of Fortis. Among these, Novenad split from the NKR at the end of 2153 as a collection of provinces that had significant political autonomy prior to Varkrimeski's coup. These provinces were able to collect enough support from the elements of the 3rd NKR National Army disloyal to Varkrimeski to form their own small military. The Novenadian Revolution officially began Midsummer of 2154, after Varkrimeski directed the NKR National Army to retake Novenadian territory. He flatly refused to declare war, which he stated he considered would be recognizing Novenad as a country.

Warfare

Initial attacks

The 1st National Army attacked through a southern pass, but fighting stalled early on as both sides stood down to maintain defensive lines after suffering significant losses. From 2154 to 2158 a series of unusually cold winters plagued the two sides, stalling offensive actions and slowing down attacks by the NKR. Follwoing the failure of the southern offensive, the 2nd National Army was directed to push through the Karjinian Plateau to strike at the heart of Novenad.

Stagnation

The majority of fighting throughout the revolution occurred in the Karjinian Plateau, in near constant snow and harsh weather. The Plateau sits at roughly 6000 meters above sea level, and remains above the snow line for most of the year. NKR forces were ill-equipped for cold-weather warfare, and expended significant resources in taking the plateau. The winter of 2154 was particularly rough, with the plateau receiving 5 meters of snow over the course of the winter in contrast to the average of 3 meters. The 3rd National Army developed techniques for mountain warfare, utilizing skis to keep infantry mobile, requisitioning tractors and tracked vehicles from locals to transport equipment, and using the friendly Patrist monasteries unique to the Karjinas for shelter and supplies. Spiyrt became a high-value commodity for both sides during this period.

For the 1st and 2nd National Armies, the environment of the Karjinian Plateau was too harsh for the conscripts, who mostly came from the subtropical northern areas. Morale was reduced by frostbite, hypothermia, unending guerilla attacks from the 3rd National Army, and the splitting of the NKR. Many soldiers in the 1st and 2nd National Armies were from Belkagranic & Ladnovizen or the southern states, both of which had split from the NKR leaving soldiers fighting for a country they had no real ties to. Desertions were high for NKR forces, leading to strange customs such as the 23rd Infantry tying soldiers to each other to prevent one from running off. Actions like this further reduced morale and created a miserable situation often compared with combat in terms of quality.

NKR breakthrough

In November of 2154, Varkrimeski diverted most of the the 1st National Army to the Karjinian Plateau, with the exception of a minimum defensive line. These reinforcements as well as the rising snow line with the onset of summer strengthened morale for the NKR, allowing them to renew their attack. The 3rd National Army suffered significant losses during this offensive, and was forced to retreat from the Karjinas entirely.

Belkan involvement

Varkrimeski then turned his sights to the formerly neutral state of Belkagranic & Ladnovizen, and began an assault on their borders. Belkagranic & Ladnovizen had been preparing for an attack since declaring independence, and had close ties with the nation of Belka dating back several decades. This diplomatic relationship brought in significant Belkan support for the Novenadian forces, now united with Belkagranic & Ladnovizen. This support changed the nature of the war from asymmetric to symmetric, increasingly in favour of Novenad.

During this period many extremist factions on the Novenadian side began to diminish in number and influence, due in large part to being pushed into dangerous assignments. Lucija Berislav admitted in an interview with the Balgred Post that this was an institutional push to weed out groups that could sidetrack the path to democracy post-revolution.

Resources provided by Belka alongside manpower from Belkagranic & Ladnovizen allowed the 3rd National Army to mount an offensive campaign through the stagnant and poorly defended southern passes, forcing the 1st National Army to divert attention from the Karjinian Plateau to reinforce their southern defenses. This created an opening for a push by the 3rd National Army into the Karjinas, forcing the now severely underequipped 2nd National Army to retreat entirely.

Now with control of the Karjinas, the 3rd National Army encircled the 1st National Army, breaking their lines and forcing them to surrender completely.

By June of 2156, the 2nd National Army had been backed up to Belgrad, and the 3rd National Army had a decisive advantage in both equipment, manpower, and morale over what was left of NKR forces. Strikes on military hubs were nearly constant, and the supply lines of the 2nd National Army were in tatters. On the 20th of Midsummer, Aleksander Varkrimeski disappeared from the capital between 12:30 AM and 5:00 AM. Suddenly without leadership or direction, the young and inexperienced command structure collapsed and the 2nd National Army surrendered to Novenadian forces.

Aftermath

The NKR welcomed the end of the war and liberation from the tyranny of Varkrimeski's fanaticism, and mass lynchings of NKR officials took place across the country. Lucija Berislav, a leader of Novenadian forces during the revolution, took office as interim Prime Minister and proclaimed the day a national holiday, promising a peaceful transition to a democracy as soon as political upheaval began to settle.