“Then they’ll have to be dealt with,” Sokolov said.
“Yes, sir, but that would be easier said than done and could turn the local Russian population against us.”
“So you’re saying we’ll have to rely entirely on Russian troops.”
The man’s gaze shifted downward.
“Is there a problem?”
“Yes, sir. But one you’re already fully aware of.”
He motioned in the direction of the buildings that were being erected. “I’ve been given the resources to enclose those structures but haven’t been told when the beds, electrical, and other equipment will be delivered.”
“It’s not our job to provide for the comfort of soldiers, Ruslin.”
He didn’t immediately answer, instead working up his infamous resolve. “Soldiers? I’m not sure the men I’m being sent qualify. I’m trying to drill them but if I push too hard, I’m concerned they’ll literally start dropping dead.”
“Wars are lost with poor leadership, not with poor soldiers,” Sokolov countered. “Never in human history has a general gone to war with an army he thought was adequate.”
“I understand your point, sir, but this is going to turn into a bloody battle fought in difficult terrain by men incapable of running up a hill.”
It was hard to be too angry with the man. Sokolov would have lodged the same complaint if he’d been in Nikitin’s position.
“Your concerns are noted. Now, I’d like a tour of your new facilities.”
“There’s nothing to see, sir. With all due respect, our limited time together could be better spent here.”
“How so?” Sokolov asked, though he knew full well.
“I’d like to discuss the likelihood that an attack order will be given.”
“That depends entirely on whether NATO decides to bring the subject of Ukraine’s membership to a vote.”
“And if they do?”
“We’ll push back.”
“Then give me the tools to fight, General! You’ve already backed me into a corner and now your presence here exacerbates the problem. There are eyes everywhere. Your visit will be reported on and the West will bolster the Ukrainian troops.” He paused for a moment. “While the president spends his day hunting and reassigning my resources to pointless exercises.”
“I’m aware of your reputation as a straight talker, Ruslin. But I’d caution you to think before you speak.”
“I’m going to be the one here fighting and in all likelihood dying if I’m ordered to push north with the men and matériel I’ve been provided.”
“Has it never occurred to you that a move in Ukraine could precipitate a NATO counterattack on us from the Baltics? That we need reinforcements there as a deterrent to an invasion of Russian soil?”
“They wouldn’t dare,” Nikitin said.
“I wonder how many empires have fallen with those words as their banner? Now are you capable of carrying out my orders or not?”
The man spoke only after taking the time to carefully consider the challenges facing him. “I can turn these men into functional fighters and I can find a way to work with the equipment I’ve been provided. But I need time.”
“We all need time, Ruslin. In matters of war, though, it’s a luxury.”
“Then I’d request an opportunity to speak directly with the president. To explain my situation and to impress on him the importance of delaying any action as long as possible.”
Sokolov glanced at his watch instead of responding to the man’s request. If everything was on schedule, Krupin arrived at his treatment facility five hours ago and should have already begun his latest round of therapy. It was unlikely that he would be disposed to discuss with Nikitin an invasion that would never happen.
More concerning than his disposition, though, was his ability.
A number of prisoners similar to Krupin in age and condition were simultaneously undergoing the same treatments. In addition, they were being subjected to various stimulant cocktails designed to allow Krupin to appear publicly without displaying weakness or confusion. One of the test subjects had been pushed too far and died from heart failure but Dr. Fedkin seemed to be closing in on a mixture that would allow the president to approximate the man he’d once been for the better part of an hour.
“I’ll pass along your request for an audience, General. But, as you can imagine, the president is quite busy.”
“Sir, I—”
“Enough!” Sokolov said, allowing the volume of his voice to rise. He’d already allowed this conversation to go on too long. While it was desirable to have Nikitin motivated, the purpose of the trip was for the supreme commander of Russia’s military to be seen in Ukraine. “I have to be back in the air in twenty minutes, General. And I intend to inspect the progress of your construction projects before I leave.”
CHAPTER 26
KIEV
UKRAINE
“MITCH!”
The Ukrainian intelligence chief had the same molasses-thick accent and bull-in-a-china-shop demeanor that he’d had more than a decade ago. He strode across his office and enveloped Rapp in a bear hug that nearly lifted him from the ground.
“It fills my heart to see you again,” he said, pulling back. “The years have been hard on you.”
“Thanks, Danya. I appreciate your honesty.”
“You know that, to this very day, my wife lights a candle in your honor every Christmas. For saving my life.”
“I don’t remember you being all that grateful at the time.”
He waved a hand dismissively. “I was young and proud. We all were.”
“I don’t think you know Scott,” Rapp said, pointing to Coleman who was hanging back by the door. “Scott, Danya Bondar.”
“Only by reputation,” he said, shaking the former SEAL’s hand vigorously. “My counterparts in the Balkans speak highly of you.”
The CIA had paid Coleman’s company millions to help Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia create asymmetric strategies to counter a Russian invasion. While all three of the Balkan states were members of NATO, it was quietly acknowledged that the West couldn’t move quickly enough to repel an attack. They would have to fend for themselves until a response could be organized.
“Now what is it I can do for you?” Bondar said indicating two chairs in front of his desk.
“Irene wants to know what’s going on with the Russians.”
“Don’t we all.”
“I mean in southern Ukraine specifically.”
“Our government has been providing regular reports.”
“We don’t trust them.”
“You still don’t mince words, do you Mitch?”
“Irene thinks your president may be spinning the intel for political reasons.”
“And do you agree with her?”
“No. I think he’s a useless piece of shit who’s outright fabricating it.”
Bondar froze for a moment and then walked across the office to make sure the door was fully closed. “The truth is somewhere between your two analyses. Our president is very concerned with the continuation of his own power and doesn’t know from where that power will flow in the coming years. The West? Perhaps, but Europe is showing cracks and America is turning inward. Standing against Maxim Krupin is becoming an increasingly lonely position.”
“Do we really have to sit here and bullshit each other, Danya? Your president has designs on being a dictator and Krupin will be a hell of a lot more helpful in getting him there than the United States or Germany. If Russian tanks start rolling north, the only thing he’s going to do is call the Kremlin and sell you down the river.”
Bondar lowered himself into his chair. “I find myself in general agreement with you, Mitch. But, at least for now, I live in a democracy. The fact that the people of Ukraine were unwise enough to elect him doesn’t change my duty.”
“No, but it also doesn’t prevent you from telling me off the record what’s happening down south.”
The man didn’t immediately respond, calculating how far he wanted to go.
“Our intelligence gathering capabilities in the Russian-dominated areas of Ukraine are surprisingly poor.”