Alyeskan Independence War
| Alyeskan Independence War | |||||||
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 (Clockwise from top-left) Russian soldiers manning a mobile radio station, ANAN troops advancing through a mining tunnel repurposed as a covert passage, ANAN forces during an amphibious assault, Russian forces holding a defensive position | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Russia |
 Alyeska  ANAN | ||||||
The Alyeskan Independence War (Russian: Война за независимость Аляски) was a military conflict from February 1978 to October 1979 fought between the Russian National Republic and the Association of North American Nations (ANAN). It was primarily fought in Alyeska and in the Kamchatka Peninsula. It resulted in victory for the ANAN and led to the independence of Alyeska.
Background
Russian influence and discontent
Alyeska, initially a backwater of the Russian Empire, gained prominence with increased settlement during the Alyeskan gold rush of the late 1890s. However, Russian governance, particularly after the rise of the National Republican Party of Russia and the elevation of Alyeska to an Autonomous National Republic (ANR) in 1940, was viewed as exploitative and insensitive to local needs. The imposition of National Republican policies led to widespread dissatisfaction among the Alyeskan populace. Many felt that the Russian government was more interested in extracting resources and political compliance than in the welfare of the local populace.
Rise of separatist sentiment
Over time, Alyeskans developed a distinct identity, influenced by a blend of traditional Russian, indigenous, and American cultures. The shared experience of feeling neglected and exploited by the Russian government helped unite disparate communities across the region.
Political turmoil and democratic reforms in Russia
The height of separatist sentiment came at a time of political turmoil in Russia, known as the Russian Lustrum. Throughout the early 1970s, Russia and its National Republican Party was prone to political infighting. All of this did not stop the increased calls for the democratization of Russia by the public, which eventually led to a referendum for democratic reforms, which was passed with overwhelming public support in 1976.
These reforms would not be underestimated, as it occurred at a time when there was no transparency in Russia. Though the new political climate would still, compared to other European nations, be deemed reclusive, it was a significant change for Russia. Eventually, local elections were agreed to be held in the autonomous national republics (ANRs) as a semi-test stage for the larger democratization of Russia.
1977 Alyeskan elections
In September 1977, a Russian-sponsored democratic election was held. Despite being a positive change, two of the leaders allowed to run were pro-Russian candidates loyal to Russia's National Republican Party. This did not sit well with the Alyeskan populace, leading to widespread boycotts and very low voter turnout. Elisej Bespalov was proclaimed as the civilian leader of the Autonomous Republic of Alyeska on September 7, 1977. However, he was largely seen by the public as illegitimate and a puppet to Moscow.
Prelude to the war
Novo-Arkhangelsk coup (February 1978)
On February 12, 1978, several members of the Alyeskan National Militia, led by Nikolaj Tryndin, led a coup in Novo-Arkhangelsk, overthrowing Elisej Bespalov and unilaterally declaring the nation's independence. Upon receiving news of the coup, Sergey Gromov, the Chairman of the Russian National Republic, sought a diplomatic resolution and promptly dispatched a delegation to negotiate with the insurrectionists. However, these efforts were rebuffed when it was discovered that Tryndin attended clandestine discussions with representatives from the ANAN, further straining relations.
Alyeska's entry into ANAN (February 1978)
On February 20, 1978, ANAN publicly entered negotiations with Nikolaj Tryndin to facilitate Alyeska's accession to their bloc. This move was met with stern criticism from Sergey Gromov, who stated "a responsible member of the international community would recognize the folly of intruding into the sovereign affairs of others."
Despite Gromov's rebuke, ANAN countered that Alyeska met the criteria for membership and, as a North American entity, had the right to join the alliance. On February 24, 1978, ANAN officially welcomed Alyeska as its eleventh member, bypassing conventional induction procedures and timelines, which typically span decades. They asserted that Russia had no jurisdiction over American soil and over ANAN affairs. This declaration further escalated tensions between ANAN and the Russian National Republic.
All of this was followed rapidly by the now democratic Russian National Republic waging war against Alyeska, or rather, in their words “getting a wayward region back in line.” ANAN did not sit idle and immediately deployed troops to Alyeska.
Course of the War
Russian invasion of Alyeska (March 1978)
If I had to say anything about the first months of the war, it was simply put getting our shit together, the Russians hit us hard and unexpectedly we were scrambling to pull it all together.
— Commander of the 53rd Slag Korps Lieutenant General Joost Wessink
The war began on the 8th of March 1978, when Russia launched an attack against ANAN forces that were moving into the newly independent Alyeska. The attack caught ANAN forces by surprise. There was initial confusion and disarray within ANAN intelligence during these first few days, especially within the Tussenland Directory of Intelligence. Tussenland expected a potential counterattack, but had miscalculated the date by 13 days. It was later revealed that both the Mexican and New Netherlander intelligence agencies had withheld critical information from Tussenland, which caused petty disputes within ANAN.
Russian objectives
Russia's initial objectives were simple: reclaim Alyeska for Russia and secure its borders. Russian leaders hoped that the swift nature of the attack, combined with the force, would lead ANAN political leadership to hesitate and thus withdraw, as engaging in a conflict would be too costly. This would, in turn, maintain the status quo, which was important to Russia since this was at a time of political uncertainty. Its military, while was still a power to be reckoned with, was suffering the effects of the political and civil disorder back in Moscow. It was thus considered important that the attack was swift.
Initial Russian successes
The initial Russian attack went well. Russian forces had successfully caught the ANAN forces, primarily units from New England and Mexico, off-guard. They were pushed south over the next 2 months. Due to a combination of ANAN's initial disorganization and inability to mobilize its forces quickly, air power and surprise allowed the Russians to push ANAN forces out of the core Alyeskan territories.
ANAN counteroffensive (May 1978)
Within 2 months of the Russian offensive, ANAN was able to allocate its proper war-fighting potential, in the form of the 53rd Battle Corps (New Netherland) and the 92nd Corps (New England). These forces halted the Russian advance, slowed it down, and stabilized the front at a heavy cost though mainly due to the cold and isolated nature of the fighting. At the same time the Mexican navy and Tussenland Air force maintaining operational air and sea supremacy in the theatre, contesting the Russian air dominance but at a heavy price. ANAN forces were also supplemented by the expertise of indigenous American scouts.
By the end of May, ANAN forces had secured the western border regions with Tussenland and the southern areas of Alyeska, including the capital, Novo-Arkhangelsk. The Russians managed to hold on to the interior regions of Alyeska. Russian forces also maintained control of the heavily fortified Shishkov Island, south of Alyeska. This allowed Russian forces to launch constant attacks upon ANAN positions.
Capture of Shishkov Island (June 1978)
“In wargames before the conflict…we always assumed that the Russians would fight hard but at some point would break…we were wrong…those Ruskies they did not break .. not the slightest.” - Major-General Raul Miralles, of the 332nd Marine Division
It was in June 1978, that the time had come, at least in the eyes of the military strategists of ANAN, to deal with Shiskov Island. It was a large heavily fortified island that was a base of operations for constant sorties against ANAN forces in the south, west and north. It also proved to be the principal area from which counter-offensives were launched. In other words at least to the Strategists of ANAN, to liberate Alyeska, the island would need to be captured.
It was well known at least that this would not be easy, intelligence had estimated that a total of 5 divisions would be present on the island, some 130,000 men in total, including a strong air defence network. This in combination with it being easy to resupply by the Russians for holding the island allowed the Russians to hold at bay ANAN naval efforts. All of this was hampered by the small distance between the mainland and the island itself. It was thus understood by all that to capture the island a heavy price was going to be paid. It was thus that this task was given to Lieutenant-General Joost Wessink, of the Korps Mariniers of the Nieuw Nederlandt Staatse Vloot, he was principally tasked due to his reputation of being an efficient soldier and ability to plan large offensive operations, but mainly he was politically able to ensure no conflict was present between his commanders. It was thus on the third of June 1978, after spending two months getting his forces ready, training them up in New France for this operation, that Operation “Wodka Slachter” was launched.
It was on the 6th of June 1978, at precisely 05:31 local time, under the cover of intensive hostile fire from the Russian islands that the first landing craft landed upon the shores. It was Marinier second-class Klaas Weademan, that first left the amphibious landing craft, it was that he was the first casualty of Operation Wodka Slachter. He was killed by soldiers that were dug into the woods, it was after he was killed that pre-sighted artillery opened fire upon the shores. What followed was a landing operation that cost the lives of some 7,000 marines to break the initial shore defences, defences that were some 11 meters from the sea. It was brutal but it was at Kaap beach that the first breach was made.
It was in the breach that the marines of the 1st division of the Korps Mariniers, were able to secure the first island, while it was cleared rapidly f Russian troops, they withdrew to other parts of the island, for the entire island was a massive fortress. While they did clear the island the Russians kept on the artillery sorties upon their positions and thus fighting quickly went underground and devolved into brutal hand-to-hand combat. It was slow and brutal but in the end, the Marines were able to link up the numerous beaches and create a foothold, at around D-day +11. Fighting was brutal but over the following month the entire island was cleared out but only after thousands of Marines were killed in the end tens of thousands of Russians were killed in the fighting, while nearly 90.000 Russians were taken as prisoners of war.
ANAN control of the Alyeskan interior (July 1978)
By July 1978, Russian forces found themselves pushed westward to coastal areas, yielding strategic positions in the Alyeskan interior, including Jakovlevsk, to advancing ANAN forces. By September 1978, ANAN had established dominance over the majority of Alyeskan territories, but encountered difficulty in controlling the Aleutian Islands, leading both ANAN and Russian forces to spend subsequent months fortifying their positions.
Battle for Novo-Arkhangelsk (February 1979) and island-hopping campaigns (June-July 1979)
In February 1979, Russia initiated an unsuccessful invasion of Novo-Arkhangelsk to reclaim the city, resulting in a significant battle culminating in an ANAN victory. In the following months, from June to July 1979, ANAN executed an island-hopping campaign, gaining control of strategically important islands within the chain and positioning themselves favorably for an invasion of Kamchatka.
Invasion of Kamchatka Harbor (July 1979)
ANAN Military Committee internally deliberated the potential strain of a mainland invasion, but was able to come to a consensus. An invasion of Kamchatka Harbor commenced in late July 1979, resulting in a two-month occupation before ANAN forces retreated in anticipation of a Russian counteroffensive. While the recapture of Kamchatka Harbor by incoming Russian led to a retreat, it shattered the perception of Russia as invulnerable. This event marked the first instance of an American force invading and landing in the Far East.
Hostilities ceased when the International League intervened, exerting pressure on both parties to reluctantly accept a ceasefire.
Aftermath
Global geopolitics
A definitive peace deal remained hard to secure, leaving the conflict without a formal conclusion. International League mediation between Russia and ANAN faced continuous hurdles, resulting in a stalled negotiation process with limited progress.
The war also left relations strained between the American nations and Russia, with lingering animosity fueling post-war geopolitics, and negative sentiments toward Amerikaeners, Mexicans, and New Englanders escalated in Russia. The ANAN, emboldened by their victory, entered an era of increased interventionism, positioning itself as a dominant force on the global stage.
Post-war Alyeska
Military junta (1979-1985)
A Military Junta assumed control of Alyeska from 1979 to 1985, presenting its rule as provisional with a commitment to transitioning into a democratic governance structure. In 1981, amidst junta rule, the Democratic Party of Alyeska emerged as the first political entity, advocating for civic identity, emphasizing creoleness, and expressing support for the existing junta.
By 1982, Alyeskan administrative divisions were established, laying the groundwork for the subsequent democratic transition. In 1983, a referendum for a new democratic constitution was successfully passed.
The years 1983 to 1984 saw the formation of additional political parties. Finally, in July 1985, Alyeska held its first free elections, culminating in the Democratic Party of Alyeska securing the presidency. The post-war political climate emphasized a more "creole" identity, with Alyeskans embracing their unique cultural blend over Russian influences. This identity became integral to the Alyeska’s national lore.
