21st Century Goguryeo

November 26, 2023, 01:30

B2 bunker in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Namju (Operation room of the Armed Forces Joint Command Control Center)

The atmosphere in the operation room of the Joint Command and Control Center of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was even more encouraging at the time when the 'Triangle Annihilation Operation,' the prelude to the counterattack, had just begun.

At present, the rear of the 5th Russian military base, Khabarovsk, and other neighboring cities were occupied one after the other by surprise attacks by the second rapid response force's four offense and defense battle divisions. It's safe to say that this has paved the way for 'Triangle Annihilation Operation.'

"According to the Strategic Missile Force Command, the five missile brigades have completed all preparations and are on standby!"

"Both Zeus Interception Satellites 5 and 6 are in designated orbit in the Aerospace Force, waiting for orders."

The strategic missile force, which will launch heavy firepower in this 'Triangle Annihilation Operation,' and the aerospace force, which will intercept retaliatory missile attacks, had just uploaded a report on the completion of final preparations in the operation room.

Shin Sung-yong, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, asked additional questions after receiving the reports, his arms folded and his gaze fixed on the main screen.

"What about the 20th Division?"

The head of the operations division immediately answered the question of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"Currently, the 81st SS Panzer Division's and the 70th Motorized Infantry Division's routes are blocked."

"I'm hoping there won't be any issues with carrying out our plans."

"Aren't we the strongest battle division in Korea, ranking first in combat, Chairman!"

Lieutenant General Yang Min-choon, the operations headquarters commander and a former corps commander of the 7th Mobile Corps, which included the 20th Panzer Division (decisive battle), responded.

"Good! The 'Triangle Annihilation Operation' will begin immediately. Inform all units involved in the operation to proceed as planned."

"Yes, sir."

As soon as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff issued his final order, the operators in charge of communications in the Operation Room became extremely busy. They began informing all commanding units of the start of the 'Triangle Annihilation Operation.'

In response to the orders, all launch vehicles of the Strategic Missile Forces' five missile brigades, which were standing by with various launchers, simultaneously fired various tactical ballistic missiles in northern Manchuria and various parts of the northern provinces.

First, about 100 Hyunmoo-1E2 tactical ballistic missiles with a range of 500 kilometers, as well as short-range tactical ballistic missiles, burst into the sky in Northern Manchuria. Over in the northern provinces, about 100 Hyunmoo-2E2 tactical ballistic missiles with a range of 1,500 kilometers were launched at the same time.

All 200 missiles were dual-purpose diffuse plasma missiles with enough firepower to sweep away not only the area where the 5th Army's main base was but the artillery units, air defense units, and various support units waiting in the rear at the same time.

Furthermore, 40 Hyunmoo-3E2-A cruise missiles with a range of 1,000 kilometers flew toward the northeast at an altitude of 100 meters with speeds of Mach 2.5.

The cruise missile was aimed at the 5th Army's 20th Guard Rocket Brigade, which was detected using various reconnaissance assets, and the 319th Independent Helicopter Regiment, which had secretly relocated to a temporary base even before the war started.

Meanwhile, Zeus Interception Satellites two and three were in geostationary orbit 36,000 kilometers above central Russia, ready to intercept Russian missile retaliation attacks.

The two countries, which had been displaying their army power for a day following the outbreak of the war, now indicated that the war had formally begun with the Republic of Korea's tactical ballistic missile attack.

The operation room, which had been busy since Joint Chiefs of Staff Shin Sung-yong's order to begin the operation, had heated up with reports from telecommunications operators and operators reporting the operation's progress in real-time.

However, the tension in the operation room was as heavy as the rising heat.

* * *

November 26, 2023, 01:30

29 kilometers northeast of Bukpyeong (Hongchikun) in Bukgang River, Bukmanju (The 121st Armored Division)

The 121st Panzer Division, which uses cutting-edge Russian equipment, was previously part of the 10th Mechanized Army, but was temporarily reorganized as the 5th Army for this war and took the charge of the main force in the vanguard.

The 121st Panzer Division, which had advanced up to 86 kilometers from the border, received orders from the Russian General Staff to retreat to Khabarovsk and defend it from the Republic of Korea airborne forces.

"What kind of command is this? How can we return to Khabarovsk after seeing the vanguard's main forces? Those pitiful people hiding in bunkers and constantly chatting..."

Lieutenant General Dritry Alenicev, division commander of the 121st Panzer Division, stated his intention to continue the sweep operation when the order was first received. However, because the General Staff's order did not change, he was forced to retreat and defend Khabarovsk. With an uneasy expression on his face, he continued to curse at the General Staff as he expressed his dissatisfaction with the order.

"That's exactly what I'm saying. I don't believe they have a better understanding than the field commander. We could have placed our division flag in the target Jangbuk (Jamusu) if we had just kept conducting sweep operations like this."

Colonel Serkei Semark, the division's operational officer, responded with wishful thinking. Lieutenant General Dritry Alenicev then asked.

"How are the other units doing?"

"Yes, the 59th and 60th divisions, which were conducting sweep operations together, switched from their current position to defensive tactics. The remaining four mobilization divisions and 57th division are on standby sticking to their current position."

Colonel Serkei Semark replied simply and clearly.

"What about the 81st and 23rd divisions that are coming from the south?"

"I've been informed that they've taken a significant detour and are now heading north. I believe the 81st Division will leap at this opportunity."

Lieutenant General Dritry Alenicev's expression became even rougher at the words of the operations officer.

Lieutenant General Dritry Alenicev, a Russian general renowned for his strategies and tactics, had one fatal flaw. He was stubborn and had a strong desire for success, so his obsession with always chasing an opportunity was intense.

"That's correct! No matter how hard I think about it, it appears to be a mistake in the General Staff's judgment. Give orders to each brigade commander, and the division headquarters, as well as the second and third brigades. They will be converted back to sweep operation formation from their current positions! Send only the first brigade to Khabarovsk."

"Will it be okay? Disobeying the orders of the General Staff…"

Colonel Serkei Semark, the operational officer, carefully opened his mouth.

"Who is disobeying the order? I think we can recapture and defend Khabarovsk with just the first brigade. Don't you think so?"

"Oh! I don't mean that. It's just because of the order."

"I will be held accountable for that. Carry out my orders right away."

"Okay. Division leader!"

Colonel Serkei Semark, the operational officer, quickly delivered the commander's order through the communicator.

Colonel Serkei Semark was as obsessed with taking advantage of opportunities as Lieutenant General Dritry Alainicev, the division commander. He was relieved because the division commander said he would take full responsibility. So he could now go forward without being concerned.

After a while, only the First Panzer Brigade of the 121st Armored Brigade, which is 57 kilometers away from Khabarovsk, continued to move on to Khabarovsk, while the rest of the division's headquarters and two armored brigades turned again. It took quite a while for the entire division to change direction and switch back to sweep operation and defense tactics.

Meanwhile, more than 200 tactical ballistic missiles and 40 cruise missiles launched from the South Korean Strategic Missile Army's five missile brigades had gradually lowered their altitude toward the targets. Unfortunately, the point at which the 121st Armored Division stopped maneuvering and switched directions was also included in the tactical ballistic missiles' targeting points.

If they had continued to return to Khabarovsk according to the orders of the General Staff, they could have escaped the crisis to some extent, but due to the division commander's erroneous judgment, the remaining 121st Panzer Division, except for the 1st Panzer Brigade, was a victim of powerful dual-purpose diffuse plasma missiles.

While the maneuvers were halted and all subordinate units were changing directions, the General Staff issued a communication saying that there had been a Korean tactical ballistic missile attack.

"Oh! The General Staff has issued an emergency communication. It is reported that dozens of ballistic missiles are currently en route to this area."

"Ha, at this time?"

Lieutenant General Dritry Alenichev's mind went blank while receiving the reports on the progress of the change of direction from the subordinate units in his command armored car.

Whether to return to Khabarovsk or disperse his subordinate units...he was unable to make a quick decision despite being an excellent strategic tactical commander.

"What should we do, Commander? Should we order them to begin an evasive maneuver?"

The operational officer, Colonel Serkei Semark, spoke in an urgent voice.

"Have the coordinates of the missile strike point been reported?"

"We are currently receiving it from the General Staff. Please wait a moment."

Colonel Serkei Semark fixed his gaze on his monitor screen while answering. After a while, when the coordinates of the tactical ballistic missile's strike point were received, he screamed.

"Oh! A total of 28 missiles are currently approaching our division."

"28 missiles? What type is it?"

"They are Hyunmoo-2E2 missiles! Ah! It's dual-purpose diffuse plasma missiles."

Russian troops were aware that the power of dual-purpose diffuse plasma missiles is four to six times that of standard ones.

"Are you certain that they are dual-purpose diffuse plasma missiles? Tell all subordinate units to switch to evasive maneuvers right away and get away from the target point!"

As soon as the urgent order of the division commander was issued, the operational officer Colonel Serkei Semark took the communicator and delivered the order himself.

"All units! Currently, Korean tactical ballistic missiles are flying in our direction. Therefore, all subordinate units must immediately start evasive maneuvers to get out from their current position!"

All the subordinate units of the 121st Panzer Division, which were changing direction under the command of the operation officer, were shocked by the overturned order, and soon went into a state of chaos as each started an evasive maneuver.

This chaos spread to the remaining units of the 5th Army as well. After switching to defensive tactics, they were hit by a sudden ballistic attack and had to perform an emergency evasive maneuver to get away from the target point.

Meanwhile, the 8th Air Defense Brigade, the 5th Army's sole air defense unit, began the procedure for intercepting the tactical ballistic missiles that were expected to arrive shortly.

The S-400 Triumph was operated by the 8th Air Defense Brigade. Using high-powered radar, the S-400 Triumph can detect up to 300 targets of cruise missiles and ballistic missiles at a distance of 700 kilometers, with a maximum trackable target of 70. The priority of the interception is determined by the type, course, and speed of the target, and the computer automatically assigns 24 targets to the launch vehicle under control and begins the interception.

The 48 launch vehicles belonging to the 8th Air Defense Brigade, which could complete the interception procedure within five minutes, had already erected the launchpad vertically and were only waiting for the missiles to enter within the interceptable range.

In addition to the 8th Air Defense Brigade's 48N6E2 (Nato Name: SA-21 Growler) missile, which had the longest range among missiles, air defense units operating the S-300 were waiting for the interception after the procedure was completed.