GLOBAL NEWS FLASHES EXCERPT (w/c: 31MAY21)
SOURCED BY: The Associated Press
U.S.-led NATO forces launch offensive on Finnish island.
International community reacts
During a tense late-night deliberation Thursday, May 27, U.S. President James Richardson quietly ordered U.S. forces to the Baltic Sea. In the early morning hours yesterday, the U.S. led-NATO task force launched an offensive aimed at removing SafeAsia, a Russian-owned private military company, from the Finnish Island of Oviaukko.
This morning, Richardson addressed the world from the White House assuring concerned parties worldwide that U.S.-led NATO forces have no intention of military action against the Russian Federation, but indicated that a NATO-led investigation into the Russian presence in Finland found “a significant military buildup well-beyond the scope and spirit of that allowed by the Finnish-Russian Economic Treaty of 2021 (FRERT).”
Richardson also indicated the investigation unearthed a number of human rights violations committed by SafeAsia against the people of Oviaukko Island and “an unwillingness to comply with orders from Russian President Svetla Basuda to remove anti-air weapons, decrease their presence on the island and atone for their crimes against Finnish civilians.”
A statement from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the international organization has “more than enough evidence to suggest efforts by the Russian Federation to reign in SafeAsia and others of its forces in the region have either gone unanswered or have been outright denied.”
Russian President Basuda discredited the statement.
“The Russian Federation will not stand by and allow unjust aggression toward our sovereign citizens operating legally in the area in accordance with the FRERT.” Basuda said.
Sources in the Kremlin, speaking on the condition of anonymity, paint a picture that supports the findings of the NATO investigation that the Russian Federation has lost control of some of its security forces in the region. Basuda, they say, has been displeased with SafeAsia and has sought to reign them in for some time. The same sources indicate the Russian Federation has been worried the actions of SafeAsia will lead to the nullification of the FRERT, an outcome they say she has worked fervently to avoid despite her strong stance on NATO aggression this morning. Out of sight of the public eye, Basuda, they say, has desired reconciliation with NATO, the U.S. and Finland in order to preserve the FRERT.
Members of both governments, and leaders from around the world, grew increasingly concerned this morning as tensions peaked toward the possibility of warfare between the U.S. and Russia. But sources within the White House, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, say that during the decision-making process the U.S. and NATO were in close communication with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres. According to our sources, many members of the U.S. Congress were only persuaded to authorize the use of force in the region after Guterres assured them he was close to a deal with both Finland and Russia to keep hostilities from boiling over.
An hour ago, it was confirmed by the U.N. the deal had been solidified. Though the U.S., NATO and Finland had pushed the U.N. to nullify the FRERT, Guterres used the treaty as a bargaining chip to ensure talks between Finland and Russia. As a condition of ongoing deliberation, Finnish President Laina Virtanen has vowed not to participate in NATO operations on Oviaukko Island or conduct hostilities toward the Russian Federation. In return, Basuda has agreed not to conduct hostilities against Finland or NATO. Sources indicate the talks have centered around reworking the FRERT to rectify liberties that allowed SafeAsia to abuse their presence within Finnish borders.
The most high-profile of Sunday's military actions involved a daring assault by the 75th Ranger Regiment to secure Roenne Airport on the southwest coast of Oviaukko Island, establishing a foothold that has allowed an influx of U.S. military equipment and personnel. Limited reports detailing the airport seizure indicate the Rangers suffered only light casualties despite the shootdown of multiple U.S. military helicopters during the operation and an intense battle for the airfield.
These published news excerpts are the fictional work of the S-2 Intelligence Team of the 506th IRRU.
