December 11, 1979, early morning, Tashkent,
The "Apex" task force, affiliated with the KGB, was getting ready to board a flight to Bagram Airport in Afghanistan for the covert operation to assassinate Afghan President Hafizullah Amin.
In a briefing room, a man with sharp features, piercing blue eyes, and a well-built physique is currently briefing his team on a mission.
This man is Colonel Alexei Chernov, the commander of the task force. He exudes strength and discipline and is dressed in a perfectly fitted military uniform.
"Comrades, I'm glad to see you all here. I will now report on the details of our mission. The General Secretary approved the military action in Afghanistan a few days ago.
The challenging task assigned to us is to seize the Afghan Presidential Palace and carry out the beheading of President Hafizullah Amin, supporting our subsequent liberation operations in Afghanistan."
"According to intelligence from the department, there are over 2000 defenders inside the Presidential Palace, while we only have 60 of you plus a friendly company.
Therefore, after landing, our first move will be to infiltrate our embassy in Kabul and prepare for the assault on the Presidential Palace. Any questions?"
A few soldiers raised their hands and asked their questions in more detail about the operation.
Five minutes later,
"Anyone else has any more questions?"
A silence followed.
"Since there are no more questions, let's board the plane. For the Soviet Motherland!"
"For the Motherland!" everyone rose and responded loudly.
Just as Chernov was briefing his subordinates, a few pilots on the plane were conducting a series of checks. When they examined the radar, they found it malfunctioning.
They immediately reported this to the control tower, only to receive news that even the airport's radar was out of order.
The mission might be cancelled.
As Chernov and his team were preparing to leave the room and board the plane, a communication soldier suddenly ran towards him and handed him a paper.
"Comrade Colonel, a message from the Lubiyanka headquarters."
Chernov took a look at it, and it read:
"Mission cancelled. Return to headquarters immediately."
He frowned but still conveyed the order to his subordinates.
"Mission cancelled. Everyone, return with me to headquarters!"
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Half an hour ago, a radar operator at the Air Defense Force radar station was sitting in front of the radar screen, feeling exhausted.
A sizzling sound caught his attention, instantly waking him up. The radar screen showed signs of interference.
He couldn't tell if it was a malfunction or just equipment failure, so he picked up the phone on his desk to inquire with another radar station.
If it was only an issue on his end, it would be a malfunction; otherwise, it might be interference requiring an immediate report to higher-ups.
After making a call, he got his answer, and it immediately made him nervousβ the radar on the other end was also having problems.
He made several more calls to different radar stations, and they all confirmed the same issue. Multiple radar stations being simultaneously interfered with meant only one thing.
Did NATO launch an attack?
Has war broken out?
These questions immediately crossed his mind. However, he had no time to dwell on them; he needed to report the situation to his station chief.
Realizing the severity, the station chief promptly reported to the colonel in charge of overseeing their radar station. As they were about to speak, they were interrupted.
"Did you call because your radar is being interfered with?"
"Yes, Comrade Colonel."
"Damn it. Continue holding your positions. I'll inform you when orders come."
Similar events unfolded in radar stations throughout the Soviet UnionβAir Defense Force, Air Force, Navy, Rocket Force, Land Aviation, Civil Aviation Authority, Meteorological Bureau, and other departments with radar stations all received reports of radar interference.
Upon receiving the news, the military immediately issued a combat alert. All leaves were cancelled, and personnel rushed back to their units to report. They started refuelling and replenishing ammunition for various combat vehicles.
Simultaneously, a large number of fighter jets were hastily taken off for surveillance, and missile silos, missile trains, and intercontinental missiles were all ready, waiting for a command to ignite and fly toward predetermined targets.
Everyone believed that NATO had initiated an attack against them. Technicians were dispatched to various radar stations, and instructed to find ways to restore radar operations.
The news quickly reached the heart of the Soviet Union, the capital, Moscow.
A hurried knocking on the door caught the attention of Brezhnev, who was preparing to rest.
The door swung open, revealing a group of individuals in KGB uniforms, led by a colonel. He immediately explained to Brezhnev:
"Comrade General Secretary, we've just received information. Radar stations across the country are experiencing interference. We believe it's an attack from the NATO group led by the United States. For your safety, we'll take you to the bunker."
"Have you contacted the U.S. ambassador?" Brezhnev asked as he walked.
"We have, and Ambassador Watson claims complete ignorance. According to him, the radar interference has nothing to do with the United States. However, to be on the safe side, we've decided to take you to the bunker first."
The bunker was constructed for the safety of the General Secretary, primarily to guard against nuclear attacks from enemy countries.
Even if the surface experienced a nuclear bomb strike, the bunker was equipped with complete communication devices to continue commanding ground forces in combat.
Upon reaching the bunker, Brezhnev met with Defense Minister Dmitry Ustinov, Chief of the General Staff Nikolai Vasilyevich Ogarkov, and other high-ranking officials waiting there.
Once everyone was seated, he first turned to Ustinov and inquired, "Can you please provide a detailed report on what has happened?"
"Comrade General Secretary, fifteen minutes ago, we received reports from various branches of the military across the country. They all mentioned that their radar stations were under interference, and simultaneously, we lost contact with all satellites and troops stationed abroad. Admiral Gorshkov also reported to me that they lost contact with all fleets and submarines deployed overseas."
"Theoretically, such widespread radar and communication interference could only be achieved by the United States worldwide. However, based on the intelligence received by us and the KGB, they don't seem to have the capability to instantaneously disrupt our national radar and external communication."
"So, we suspect that the United States has secretly developed a new type of strategic-level weapon. Its power may not match that of a nuclear bomb, but it can decisively impact the entire war situation."
"I've just discussed this with the Chief of the General Staff. We hope, Comrade General Secretary, that you can agree to an immediate nationwide mobilization, calling up at least five million reservists in the first wave of mobilization. Additionally, we request your approval for the Rocket Forces to initiate nuclear counterattacks if necessary."
At this point, Marshal Ogarkov also began speaking, "Comrade General Secretary, we also plan to withdraw more troops from Central Asia and the Far East to stand by in the European theatre. We will also cancel military actions against Afghanistan. The 40th Army assembling at the Afghan border will defend in place after completing the assembly, preventing possible attacks by U.S. forces in Afghanistan through Pakistan. "
After finishing his statement, he remained silent, waiting for Brezhnev's decision. Brezhnev didn't speak immediately; instead, he looked toward Foreign Minister Andrei Andreyevich Gromyko.
"Has the Foreign Ministry received a declaration of war from the United States? Have our embassies or other Warsaw Pact countries sent back any intelligence?"
"Sorry, Comrade General Secretary, we have not received any declaration of war from any country, and we have also lost contact with all embassies and Warsaw Pact countries."
KGB Chairman Yuri Andropov then stood up to speak, "Comrade General Secretary, I have just ordered the nationwide deployment of the internal security forces to maintain order in cities and evacuate civilians.
In addition, all our intelligence stations abroad have lost contact. Considering the information provided earlier, it can be said that we have lost all external communication. Whether or not the United States is responsible for this, I believe our country is not far from war. Therefore, I support Comrade Ustinov's suggestion to initiate a comprehensive mobilization."
After finishing, the high-ranking officials at the table remained silent, quietly gazing at Brezhnev. Brezhnev closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and responded:
"Let's proceed with Comrade Ustinov's suggestion. The entire country will enter a state of war, and we will initiate total mobilization. Mobilizing five million troops requires a substantial amount of weapons and ammunition. Comrade Ustinov, I trust you to ensure that our military-industrial complex can keep up with the demand."
"Moreover, since the situation is unclear, and we are not certain whether the United States initiated the attack, the KGB, continued gathering intelligence to understand what was happening. Rocket forces, ensure our nuclear weapons are in a state of readiness. If any missile not belonging to us appears in our airspace, initiate an immediate counterattack."
"Does anyone have any other reports to make?"
No one spoke up; it was understandable that the prospect of war with the United States and nuclear retaliation was a tense situation.
"Now that there are no more reports, I would like to announce the formal establishment of the Supreme High Command. Execute the decisions we discussed today. If there are any uncertainties, consult Comrade Ustinov. The Ministry of Defense has a comprehensive plan for each department's response to a national attack; you can obtain a copy from him."
As everyone prepared to leave their seats, a KGB colonel suddenly rushed in, saluted the leaders, and loudly stated:
"Reporting to Comrade General Secretary, Comrade Chairman, and esteemed leaders, we have just received urgent reports from border troops across the country."
Upon hearing this, everyone resumed their seats, and Andropov immediately ordered:
"Colonel, quickly relay the contents of the report."
"Yes, Comrade Chairman. Five minutes ago, we received urgent reports from border troops nationwide, stating that unusual phenomena are occurring along the border."
"Specifically, in Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Arctic, and Eastern Europe, regions already in darkness, border troops have reported extremely peculiar auroras appearing in the sky."
"While the Far East border troops reported that they began losing visibility beyond the borderline, the strange and dense fog appeared on the other side of the border. The border troops mentioned that this fog did not drift across the border.
However, based on the reports we received, this fog appeared along our borders with North Korea, China, and Mongolia.
These fogs might stretch for thousands of kilometres like a wall, obscuring our view of what might be happening behind them."
"Comrade General Secretary, Comrade Chairman, and esteemed leaders, I have finished my report."
"All right, Colonel, your business here is done. You may leave," said Andropov.
"Yes, Comrade Chairman."
After the colonel left, the faces of the gathered high-ranking officials were filled with deep concern.
The wrinkles on the foreheads of these seasoned individuals deepened, and they unconsciously tightened their grip on the items in their hands, expressing inner tension.
Some spoke in hushed tones, conveying unease and anxiety.
Brezhnev, with a furrowed brow, turned to Andropov and inquired, "Comrade Andropov, what are your thoughts on the border troops' report?"
"Comrade General Secretary, I see two possible scenarios for such a situation. First, the fog and auroras along the border could be a new strategic weapon developed by the United States to block our external communication and interfere with our radar stations. This could be some kind of meteorological weapon, generating both auroras and fog."
"However, the likelihood of this first scenario is low. While there are certain disparities in our industries compared to the United States, it's unlikely that they could keep such a weapon hidden from the KGB within their vast intelligence network. Besides, the development of such a weapon would likely take decades or even centuries, making it implausible."
"I agree; it seems improbable. What is your second possibility?" Brezhnev inquired.
"The second possibility is one that I considered theoretically impossible until now. However, given the current circumstances, it seems more likely. It involves supernatural phenomena. We might be facing an unknown adversary, and these phenomena could be a manifestation of their power."
"We don't know why peculiar auroras are appearing in the Caucasus or why thick fog is emerging along our borders with Korea, China, and Mongolia. These phenomena may extend for thousands of kilometres, acting like a wall, obstructing our view of what is happening beyond."
"Continue, I'd like to hear more about your second possibility," Brezhnev urged.
"If we are indeed dealing with an unknown adversary, I suggest adopting a wait-and-see approach. All our forces should be prepared for defence. At the same time, we should implement the plans we just discussed. After all, we don't know what this unknown adversary is capable of."
Brezhnev turned to Ustinov and asked, "Comrade Ustinov, what do you think of Comrade Andropov's approach?"
"Comrade General Secretary, I support his approach. Given the uncertainties, it's wise to observe the situation before making any aggressive moves. We should prepare for defence and wait until our reconnaissance and the KGB provide more information about the cause of these anomalies."
Having listened to both perspectives, Brezhnev nodded and remarked, "Then let's proceed as discussed and follow Comrade Andropov's suggested approach. Dismissed."
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