Belarus, Stavka, Russian General Headquarters.
Grand Duke Nikolai stared silently at the telegram in his hand, a report of battle losses from General Ivanov, commander of the Southwestern Front. The staggering losses filled his heart with deep sorrow.
According to Ivanov's report, the main forces of the Southwestern Front had been nearly annihilated. Originally boasting 1.2 million troops, they were now reduced to a mere 250,000, having suffered a loss of 950,000—almost a million. When considering the previous losses from the Northwestern Front, Russia had nearly lost two million soldiers on the Eastern Front. Despite Russia's vast pool of manpower, such losses were unsustainable.
Moreover, these casualties primarily comprised their elite units, severely compromising their position in future engagements.
"Perhaps we were mistaken from the outset. This war is beyond the capability of the Russian Empire. Our strength is too feeble to secure victory," Nikolai mused bitterly.
Initially, Tsar Nicholas II, military commanders, and high-ranking officials believed that the Entente's strength would ensure the defeat of the Central Powers. Particularly after Italy's defection to the Entente, the Central Powers appeared increasingly weakened. However, the anticipated victories had yet to materialize, replaced instead by a series of failures.
The catastrophic losses in this conflict had rendered any hope of success on the Eastern Front impossible. To Nikolai, the Russian Empire's role in this war seemed destined to become mere token resistance, merely tying down a fraction of the German and Austro-Hungarian forces while losing vast territories. Unless the Entente could achieve victory, the territories lost by Russia would likely never be regained.
But could the Entente truly claim victory? Before the war began, Nikolai would have been confident in their success, yet now he could not be so sure. The sheer might of the German military had shocked all. The German Army deserved its title as the best in the world, maintaining an upper hand even while fighting on two fronts. Even the German Navy had gained an advantage over the British in naval battles, a situation Nikolai found utterly astonishing. Yet, reality remained unchanged, no matter how improbable it seemed.
"May God bless the Russian Empire; may we find victory in this war!" Nikolai murmured, as if appealing to an elusive deity had become their only recourse.
"Your Highness, how shall we report the specifics of the Southwestern Front to His Majesty?" a Russian officer inquired.
With the Russian Army's repeated battlefield defeats, Tsar Nicholas II had grown increasingly irate. Should he learn of the Southwestern Front's disastrous defeat, the consequences would be dire. The military commanders feared for their positions.
"Report the truth to His Majesty! Concealment cannot endure; should the Tsar discover the reality, the repercussions would be even worse," Nikolai stated.
He understood his nephew well—Nicholas II was obstinate and quick-tempered, particularly intolerant of deception. Despite his guilt over the situation, Nikolai recognized the impossibility of concealing the truth. Even as the Tsar's uncle, he would not escape retribution for withholding information.
"Very well, Your Highness," the general nodded, promptly preparing to send the telegram.
In the Winter Palace, the capital of the Russian Empire, St. Petersburg, Tsar Nicholas II sat expressionless behind his desk. Scattered before him were several telegrams, including the one from Grand Duke Nikolai detailing the Southwestern Front's losses.
Upon reading the telegram, Nicholas II erupted in fury. Though he had grown accustomed to failure, the relentless series of defeats left him numb.
Before him stood several military commanders and government officials, all silent, awaiting the verdict of judgment.
"First, the Northwestern Front was annihilated; now the Southwestern Front has nearly met the same fate. To date, we have lost close to two million troops. Bear in mind, before the war, our standing army comprised only 1.4 million! Worse yet, these losses were among our finest units.How can we possibly continue this fight?" Nicholas II exclaimed, his eyes ablaze as he surveyed his generals and officials.
Silence filled the room; everyone recognized the dire state of affairs facing Russia. The performance of the army in this war could only be described as abysmal.
This reality led many officials and military leaders to adopt a pessimistic view of the war, believing victory was increasingly unlikely.
Observing the response of his ministers and generals, Nicholas II felt equally helpless, much like the current battlefield situation.
"Gentlemen, what are your thoughts on our current situation? What should be our next steps?" Nicholas II inquired.
"Your Majesty, given our catastrophic losses, it would be wise to refrain from initiating further offensives until our newly mobilized troops are adequately prepared. Otherwise, we risk being defeated yet again," Army Minister Sukhomlinov advised.
Nicholas II nodded somberly; even with fresh troops mobilized, they could hardly be considered a cohesive force. Sending them into battle would be tantamount to sending them to their deaths.