South Livonian Dictator Dies in Helicopter Crash
In a sudden turn of events, the long-standing dictator of the Democratic People's Republic of Livonia, Nikolay Dragomirov, was announced to have died in a helicopter crash thirteen miles East of Kaliningrad. After a day of complete communication blackout from the Democratic People's Republic of Livonia, all radio and television services were restored and began broadcasting a looped message from the Supreme Council of Livonia, the legislative body of the rogue state. In the message, they stated that "the country's beloved leader has tragically passed away in a helicopter accident". The message proceeded to state that the cause of the crash was still being investigated, and that "if any outside involvement in this appalling incident, there will be extreme consequences". Western analysts believe this is a thinly veiled threat to the quasi-state's nuclear arsenal.
Photo released by DPRL media claiming to be the crash site
While details are scarce regarding the crash, several of those who follow the DPRL professionally have pointed out that while Nikolay Dragomirov was often promoting a rabid anti-Western and capitalist stance, he often flew in a Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, which had originally been sold to the quasi-state for search and rescue purposes. Given the recent tightening of sanctions against the DPRL two years ago, DPRL analyst Marius Tadesautis based in the ROL suspects it has likely become more difficult to procure spare parts for the helicopter. Whether this led to the crash remains unknown. "But what I do know," Marius said, "is that things will get very interesting along the Livonian DMZ. I just hope cooler heads prevail".
Nikolay Dragomirov boarding his AS365 Dauphin helicopter four weeks ago
Beckett Mariner
Grand Central Times