The director of the SVR interjected at the right mont: "Intelligence indicates that the Fourth Armored Division of the Republican Guard of the Syria Republic is currently the most intact and powerful governnt army unit, stationed near Homs. If we can quickly establish effective contact with the division commander and provide support, the ground defense line might hold out a bit longer."
President Vladimir slowly paced to the window, gazing at the quiet night in Moscow outside.
A few minutes of silence felt as long as a century.
The three high-ranking officials held their breath, waiting for his final decision.
Finally, he turned around, all traces of hesitation and deliberation gone, replaced by a resolute determination.
"Gentlen, we have no way to retreat."
His voice was not loud, but it struck like a heavy hamr on everyone's heart, "Retreating ans handing over Syria, abandoning our decades of strategic investnt, showing weakness to our opponents, and a collapse of Russia's international standing. This is unacceptable."
He walked back behind his desk, sat down, looked over the three, and issued his orders:
"Zhaoyi Valley, I order the Ministry of Defense to imdiately activate the 'New Syria' operation plan. The Air Force is to intensify the airstrikes on terrorist targets within Syria, execute imdiately! Deploy all necessary air and ground forces to Tartus and Himim to ensure absolute security of the bases."
"Rashimu, the General Staff is to fully cooperate, drafting detailed phased operational plans with the goal of stabilizing the current front lines and seizing the opportunity to turn the tide of battle. Priority is to ensure the safety of Homs."
"Timov."
He looked at the intelligence director, "Utilize all resources to verify the exact situations of President Hafez and others as soon as possible, and strive to establish a direct, effective command and coordination channel with the reliable forces of the Syrian governnt army."
Finally, President Vladimir solemnly said, "Notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prepare the necessary external explanations. Our actions are targeting the terrorist threat, aiming to uphold Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to protect Russia's legitimate interests and the safety of military facilities there. The wording must be strong, the stance firm."
"Yes, Mr. President!"
The three responded in unison, with expressions of relief mixed with a renewed fighting spirit on their faces.
Although this decision is difficult and carries huge risks, at least it provides a clear direction, far better than sliding into failure due to indecision.
With the issuance of orders, the massive Russian war machine began to accelerate its operations. Warships of the Caspian Sea fleet started firing up, and at the airports of the Southern Military District, fighter jets loaded with bombs and missiles were being pulled out of the hangars, and the strategic bomber units of the long-range aviation forces received standby instructions...
A large-scale military intervention that will profoundly change the course of the Syria war, and even the Middle East landscape, comnced.
anwhile, in a quiet ward of the Damascus Army Hospital, another encrypted phone placed on the bedside table by Song Heping suddenly lit up, and a brief, silently delivered ssage from a specific channel, through complex encryption, arrived.
The decoded content of the ssage was just one short line:
"The Bear has left the cave."
Song Heping picked up the phone, took a glance, and a barely noticeable smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He walked over to the secret door connecting to Hafez's room, gently knocked, and then pushed it open.
President Hafez and the Chef both looked at him.
Song Heping turned the phone screen toward them, showing that brief ssage.
Hafez let out a long sigh, finally relaxing his tense nerves a bit, though his eyes still filled with worry. The Chef, on the other hand, grinned and rubbed his hands together: "About damn ti! I've been itching to do sothing!"
Song Heping calmly said, "Mr. President, the first step was successful. But what cos next is the real test. The Russian army's planes and artillery can destroy the enemies at the front lines, but to reclaim lost territory, more blood will still need to be shed, it seems the ti for us to 'recover' has also arrived."
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