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The Russian Federation; Friend or Foe? The Grand Central Times - Dateline August 17th 2019 Flag of the Russian Federation Recent reports that the Russian Federation have been boisterously threatening war with the Ukraine come, to most, with some cause for concern. Russian president Ilya Antonov (Илья Антонов) despite having ceased military action in Ukraine in 2016 following his election, has not maintained a positive relationship with the country. Political analysts are quick to point out Antonov's roots in the Russian Army, most notably as the Colonel who lead the Annexation of Crimea in 2014. As Ukraine prepares to further engage in trade agreements with the EU many assume that the Russian President intends to take after his predecessor and establish control via military action. Though the reported threats against Ukraine are said to have come not from Prisident Antonov, but instead from Prime Minister Valentina Kozlova (Валентина Козлова) it is widely accepted that both the Russian Head of State and Head of Government respectively, share similar mindsets regarding the use of the Russian military. Recent accusations of corruption following a scandal within the Russian Federal Party, have lead some to think that the threatening of Russian military force is simply a means of distracting their populous from internal matters. President Ilya Antonov in a propaganda picture taken after the Annexation of Crimea in 2014 Under Antonov and Kozlova the Russian Military has seen a rapid increase in strength and size, a fact which the Russian State has been all-too-keen upon broadcasting. The Russian media outlets, widely considered to be under the control of the state, have been steadily portraying the Russian Armed Forces as a professional and major military force, all while driving recruitment throughout the Russian Federation. Prime Minister Kozlova specifically has been a key influence in the increase of military power. Her focus on general quality of life improvements, supported by her counterpart in the presidency, have made many in the Russian Federation who are less well off consider military service as a primary means of life improvement. Major improvements to military pay, as well as other significant benefits along with government support to military members, pushed through by Prime Minister Kozlova in 2017, have served to further incentivize Russian citizens to become apart of the Russian Military. Despite this, it seems that the Russian Federation has suffered some monetary setbacks specifically related to the mass production of military equipment and vehicles. It remains to be seen if this will hinder their progress in the long run or if it simply a temporary setback. President Antonov has maintained a strong anti-NATO Rhetoric during his entire tenure and has backed his statements with military exercises that consistently put the western world on edge. The VOSTOK-18 exercise with China in 2018, for instance, generated a significant concern for NATO countries after witnessing a rogue Chinese General attack US and ANZAC troops in late 2016 during a joint exercise in the south pacific. The recently announced training with the Belorussian military, following the threats against Ukraine, follow this concerning pattern. NATO officials have announced a joint exercise to take place inside of Ukranian territory as a response. The United States and the United Kingdom specifically have stated they will be attending the exercise, and it is presumed that they will be doing so with a significant number of troops. Many fear that this action will inevitably end in conflict, while others think this heralds a return to the Cold War era proxy wars. However, it remains to be seen if there is any truth to Russia's actions being a means to distract their populous or if it does indeed indicate the return of a oppositional Russian presence internationally. Alan White - The Grand Central Times *This news report is a fictional work created to support the 3d MRB ARMA gameplay

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