Hora Lucerna: Soviet Union Timeline
From Harthorns-Reverie
1960s: The KGB’s Hidden Hand
- 1964 - The Ousting of Khrushchev: Nikita Khrushchev’s removal from power is not just a result of internal Party politics but is orchestrated by the KGB, under the influence of a secretive faction known as the “Red Directorate.” This group within the KGB believes in the absolute necessity of controlling not just the Soviet Union but also the direction of global communism. The Red Directorate manipulates Party officials and military leaders, ensuring that Leonid Brezhnev rises to power, a leader more in line with their objectives.
- 1967 - Operation Koschei: The Red Directorate initiates “Operation Koschei,” a covert project aimed at developing advanced psychological warfare techniques, including mind control and disinformation, to destabilize the West. The project is shrouded in secrecy, and its true nature is known only to the highest levels of the KGB. Operation Koschei’s early experiments involve the manipulation of dissidents within the Soviet Union and the use of propaganda to influence political movements in Europe and the Americas.
1970s: The Era of Stagnation and Underground Power Struggles
- 1975 - The Helsinki Accords and the False Détente: The signing of the Helsinki Accords in 1975 is publicly seen as a step towards easing Cold War tensions. However, the Red Directorate views it as a strategic deception, allowing the Soviet Union to buy time while secretly building up its military capabilities. The Directorate’s agents infiltrate Western peace movements, using them to gather intelligence and spread pro-Soviet propaganda.
- 1978 - The Shadow War in Afghanistan: As the Soviet Union prepares to invade Afghanistan, the Red Directorate secretly works to undermine the Communist government in Kabul. They orchestrate a coup against President Taraki, replacing him with the more pliable Hafizullah Amin. The Directorate’s goal is to create a pretext for Soviet intervention, allowing them to establish a foothold in Central Asia. The invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 is a direct result of these covert manipulations, though the ensuing conflict quickly becomes a quagmire.
- 1980 - Operation Veles: In response to growing unrest within the Eastern Bloc, the Red Directorate launches “Operation Veles,” a program aimed at suppressing dissent through the use of advanced surveillance technologies and psychological manipulation. The Directorate establishes secret prisons, known as “Iron Houses,” where dissidents are subjected to experimental techniques designed to break their will and reprogram their loyalty to the state.
1980s: The Decline Begins
- 1983 - The Andropov Doctrine: Yuri Andropov, a former KGB chief and then-General Secretary, secretly implements the Andropov Doctrine, a strategy that involves infiltrating Western financial institutions and manipulating global markets to weaken the capitalist system from within. The Red Directorate’s agents engage in financial sabotage, creating artificial crises that destabilize economies in Europe and the United States.
- 1985 - Gorbachev’s Reforms and the Directorate’s Resistance: Mikhail Gorbachev’s rise to power brings a new wave of reforms, including perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness). However, the Red Directorate views these reforms as a direct threat to their control. They work behind the scenes to undermine Gorbachev’s policies, spreading disinformation and exacerbating economic problems. The Directorate secretly supports hardline factions within the Party, who oppose Gorbachev’s attempts to liberalize the Soviet system.
- 1988 - The Armenian-Azerbaijani Conflict: As ethnic tensions rise in the Soviet Union, particularly in the Caucasus, the Red Directorate sees an opportunity to manipulate these conflicts for their own ends. They secretly arm both sides in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, exacerbating the violence and destabilizing the region. The Directorate’s goal is to create a crisis that will justify a crackdown by the central government, reinforcing their control over the periphery.
1990s: The Fracture of the Soviet Union
- 1991 - The Failed Coup and the Collapse: The August Coup of 1991, an attempt by hardliners to overthrow Gorbachev and prevent the dissolution of the Soviet Union, is secretly supported by the Red Directorate. However, the coup fails, leading to the disintegration of the Soviet Union. The Directorate, faced with the collapse of the central government, retreats into the shadows, preserving its core members and resources for future use.
- 1992 - The Rise of the Oligarchs: As the Soviet Union fractures into independent republics, the Red Directorate shifts its strategy. They begin to work with emerging oligarchs, helping them acquire state assets through privatization in exchange for loyalty and influence. The Directorate infiltrates the new governments of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and other former Soviet states, ensuring that their agents maintain power behind the scenes.
- 1994 - The First Chechen War: The outbreak of the First Chechen War is partly orchestrated by the Red Directorate, who see the conflict as a means to destabilize Russia and prevent it from consolidating power. The Directorate arms Chechen rebels while also supporting hardline elements within the Russian military, creating a brutal and protracted conflict that weakens the central government.
- 1998 - The Russian Financial Crisis: The Red Directorate manipulates the Russian financial crisis, using it as a tool to further destabilize the country. Through their connections with oligarchs and corrupt officials, they exacerbate the economic collapse, which leads to widespread poverty and unrest. The Directorate’s agents use the chaos to eliminate political rivals and consolidate their influence over the remnants of the Soviet state.
2000s: The Fractured Empire and New Alliances
- 2000 - The Puppet Mastery of Putin’s Rise: Vladimir Putin’s rise to power is not just the result of his KGB background but also the influence of the Red Directorate, who see him as a potential tool to restore their power. The Directorate orchestrates Putin’s ascent to the presidency, manipulating political and economic events to secure his position. However, once in power, Putin begins to distance himself from the Directorate, using his own network of loyalists to consolidate control over Russia.
- 2004 - The Orange Revolution and the Directorate’s Manipulations: The Orange Revolution in Ukraine, which sees the rise of pro-Western forces, is a significant blow to the Red Directorate’s influence. In response, the Directorate launches a series of covert operations, known as “Operation Scythe,” aimed at destabilizing Ukraine and undermining its government. The Directorate supports separatist movements in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine, laying the groundwork for future conflicts.
- 2008 - The Russo-Georgian War: The war between Russia and Georgia over the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is partly orchestrated by the Red Directorate, who see it as an opportunity to reassert Russian influence in the Caucasus. The Directorate provides intelligence and logistical support to Russian forces, ensuring a swift victory. The war serves as a warning to other former Soviet states considering aligning with the West.
2010s: The Shadow Games and Regional Conflicts
- 2014 - The Annexation of Crimea: The Red Directorate plays a key role in the annexation of Crimea, using their networks within the Russian military and intelligence services to orchestrate the operation. The Directorate also manipulates public opinion through a sophisticated disinformation campaign, ensuring broad support for the annexation within Russia. The move is seen as a significant victory for the Directorate, who view it as a step towards rebuilding the Soviet sphere of influence.
- 2015 - The Syrian Intervention: Russia’s intervention in the Syrian Civil War is heavily influenced by the Red Directorate, who see the conflict as an opportunity to reassert Russian influence in the Middle East and challenge Western dominance. The Directorate coordinates with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah, using Syria as a testing ground for new military technologies and strategies. The intervention also allows the Directorate to secure lucrative arms deals and strengthen alliances with other rogue states.
- 2017 - Operation Twilight: The Red Directorate launches “Operation Twilight,” a covert campaign aimed at destabilizing Western democracies through cyber warfare, election interference, and propaganda. The Directorate uses its extensive network of hackers and disinformation agents to sow discord in the United States, the European Union, and other NATO countries. The operation is a significant success, leading to political crises and the rise of populist, anti-establishment movements across the West.
2020s: The Fragmented Soviet States and the Great Game
- 2021 - The Collapse of Belarus: Belarus, a key ally of Russia, experiences a popular uprising against the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko. The Red Directorate, fearing the loss of a crucial buffer state, orchestrates a brutal crackdown on the opposition. However, the unrest leads to a civil war, further destabilizing the region. The Directorate uses the chaos to smuggle weapons and establish proxy forces in the region, setting the stage for future conflicts.
- 2023 - The Caspian Conflict: A major conflict erupts in the Caspian region, involving Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran, over control of oil and gas resources. The Red Directorate plays all sides, providing intelligence and arms to both the Russian military and Azerbaijani separatists. The conflict further weakens Russia’s influence in the region but enriches the Directorate, who profit from the sale of arms and resources.
- 2026 - The Siberian Revolt: In Siberia, long-standing grievances over economic exploitation and environmental degradation lead to a full-scale revolt. The Red Directorate, seeing an opportunity to regain control, supports both the rebels and the Russian military, creating a prolonged and bloody conflict. The revolt weakens the central government in Moscow, leading to the effective independence of several Siberian regions.
2030s: Reunification and Exploiting the American Fracture
- 2031 - The American Collapse: As the United States begins to fracture into separate regions, the Red Directorate sees an unprecedented opportunity. They launch “Operation Golem,” a plan to destabilize the remaining U.S. government while strengthening ties with the emerging American factions. The Directorate provides covert support to separatist movements in the United States, using the chaos to gain leverage in global negotiations and secure strategic resources.
- 2033 - The Neo-Soviet Union Emerges: The Red Directorate, having maintained influence over the fractured Soviet states, initiates the process of reunification. Under the leadership of a new figurehead, backed by the Directorate’s shadowy network, the Neo-Soviet Union is formed. This new entity, while not a return to full communism, is a militarized and authoritarian state with a focus on reclaiming lost territory and reasserting its influence globally.
- 2035 - The Eurasian Alliance: The Neo-Soviet Union forms the Eurasian Alliance, a coalition of former Soviet republics and sympathetic states in the Middle East and Asia. The Alliance is positioned as a counterweight to the fractured remnants of the West, with the Directorate controlling its military and intelligence operations. The Alliance begins to exert influence over global trade routes, particularly in energy and technology, positioning itself as a dominant force in the new world order.
- 2038 - The Siberian Accord: The Neo-Soviet Union signs the Siberian Accord, an agreement with the newly independent Siberian regions, granting them autonomy in exchange for control over their vast natural resources. The Directorate ensures that the Siberian leaders are loyal to the Neo-Soviet government, using a combination of bribery, blackmail, and covert assassinations to maintain control.
- 2040 - The American Proxy Wars: With the United States still fractured, the Neo-Soviet Union begins to engage in proxy wars across the former U.S. territories, supporting different factions to weaken any potential reunification efforts. The Directorate uses these conflicts to test new military technologies and tactics, gaining valuable experience and resources. The wars also serve to further destabilize the global economy, which the Neo-Soviet Union exploits to strengthen its position.
- 2045 - The New Cold War: By 2045, the Neo-Soviet Union has fully reasserted itself as a global superpower, in direct opposition to the fractured remnants of the United States and its allies. The world enters a new Cold War, with the Directorate pulling the strings behind the scenes. The Neo-Soviet Union, now a militarized and authoritarian state, uses its influence to shape global events, aiming to establish a new world order under its control.