red moscow

Chapter 3145

Upon entering Malazrevskaya Street, where the Ministry of Internal Affairs headquarters was located, Sokov keenly observed that there were almost no civilians to be seen on the streets, only patrols moving back and forth in the empty streets. From their clothing and the style of their armbands, it was easy to identify that these patrols belonged to the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the garrison command.

"Comrade Captain!" Sokov couldn't help but ask Chekalov, who was sitting in the passenger seat, "Why can't we see any civilians on this street? It's like we've entered a military restricted area."

Chekalov turned halfway around again and explained to Sokov, “Comrade Deputy Commander, you may not know this, but although the war ended long ago, Odessa is not a peaceful city. Lurking saboteurs, lingering enemy spy networks, and even infiltration by external forces make the situation very complicated. For security reasons, security on this main street will be a bit stricter. Residents of other blocks are not allowed to enter here without permission, except for those living here. Even if it is for official business, you must report and verify in advance.”

“I see.” Sokov nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the closed windows and the occasional figures appearing on the balconies along the street, before continuing, “How much longer until we get there?”

"Almost there, it's just over there in that building." Chekalov pointed ahead. "That three-story building with dark green window frames and double guards at the entrance is it."

Sokov looked in the direction Chekalov was pointing and saw a sturdy three-story building ahead. The building was a stone structure made of thick stone blocks, making it look exceptionally solid. From the bullet holes and unrepaired broken windows that were visible everywhere on the walls, he guessed that a fierce battle must have taken place here, and those traces seemed to be memories of war that time could not completely erase.

“Comrade Captain!” Sokov pointed to the building and tentatively asked Chekalov, “This building must have been the site of many battles during the war, right?”

“That’s right, Comrade General,” Chekalov nodded, his tone carrying a heavy weight of history. “This building was used by the Romanian occupying forces as their garrison office and headquarters of the 10th Infantry Division during the Great Patriotic War, and an explosion occurred on October 22, 1941. It was a very successful sabotage operation.”

Upon hearing this, Sokov immediately became interested. He leaned forward slightly and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Comrade Captain, could you elaborate? Who carried out this bombing targeting the enemy? Was it the resistance organization hiding in the city?"

Seeing Sokov's interest in this history, Chekalov naturally satisfied his curiosity. He gathered his thoughts briefly and continued in a clear and steady tone: "Comrade General, on October 16, 1941, after a fierce siege lasting two months and eight days, Odessa finally fell to the Romanian army. The Romanian army paid a heavy price of nearly 100,000 men in the process of capturing the city. In particular, the Romanian 4th Army, which was tasked with the main attack, was severely weakened in this battle and could no longer be committed to the Eastern Front."

Six days later, on October 22nd, a deafening explosion rocked the building—a radio-controlled mine, cleverly planted by our Internal Affairs Department's special engineering team before their retreat, had detonated. The explosion directly destroyed the building's structural pillars, causing the entire second-floor conference hall to collapse, resulting in 67 deaths, including 16 high-ranking officers, including the garrison commander, General Jan Glogozanu. This operation not only dealt a heavy blow to the enemy's command system but also greatly boosted the morale of the underground resistance movement in the Odessa region.

"Well done!" Sokov gave Chekalov a thumbs-up and sincerely praised him. "The comrades in the Ministry of Internal Affairs are all excellent. Even though the city has fallen into enemy hands, the attacks on them have not stopped."

After a pause, Sokov thought of a crucial question and continued, "The garrison commander was killed by comrades from the NKVD. Did the enemy take any retaliatory action? I remember that after the Germans occupied Kiev, they carried out a large-scale massacre of the Jews in the city because comrades from the NKVD continued to resist."

After Sokov finished speaking, Chekalov fell into a brief silence. His brows furrowed slightly, and a suppressed anger gradually appeared on his face, as if Sokov's words had touched a chord deep within him, causing him to involuntarily recall some past events he did not want to remember.

Before Sokov could ask again, the vehicle slowly pulled up in front of the Ministry of Internal Affairs building. The driver turned and respectfully reported to Chekalov, "Comrade Captain, we've arrived!" The door opened, and Chekalov quickly got out. He first helped Gulia carefully assist Sokov out of the car, then hurried to the back of the vehicle and took out the folded wheelchair from the trunk. Just as he was unfolding the wheelchair, preparing to ask the soldiers on guard to help lift Sokov up the steps along with the wheelchair, Sokov suddenly spoke up, "Comrade Captain, could you please lift the wheelchair up first? Gulia can help me walk up slowly."

Chekalov was taken aback by what he heard, and a worried look appeared on his face. He hurriedly reminded him, "Comrade General, you are still injured. It may not be appropriate for you to walk around like this."

“It’s alright, the injury has almost healed.” Sokov waved his hand, his tone calm but firm. “We’ll walk slowly, it should be fine.”

Despite Sokov's words, Chekalov remained cautious. After placing the wheelchair on the steps, he immediately turned back and assisted Gulia in helping Sokov, supporting him on either side, as they steadily ascended the steps.

Soon, the three arrived at the building entrance. Sokov returned to his wheelchair, pushed by Gulia, while Chekalov led the way.

“Comrade General,” Chekalov turned to Sokov as they stopped in front of an office door, his voice low and serious, “you were right before. After the Odessa bombing, the Romanian occupying forces did indeed launch a frenzied retaliation. The day after the bombing, on October 23, they massacred nearly ten thousand Odessa residents…” He paused, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly, and continued, “the vast majority of them were Jews living in the city.”

Sokov's heart sank. He was silently condemning the cruelty of the Romanian occupying forces when Chekalov stepped into the office and reported Sokov's arrival to the people inside.

A few minutes later, Chekalov reappeared at the door, accompanied by a balding major who was not wearing a military cap. Upon seeing Sokov in his wheelchair, the major immediately stepped forward and said respectfully, “Hello, General Sokov! I am Major Zhivagin, General Butko’s adjutant. The General is waiting for you in his office; please allow me to show you the way.”

After speaking, Major Zhivagin stepped forward and pushed Sokov's wheelchair, slowly walking inside. Gulia and Chekalov quickly followed.

They walked through the spacious office and finally stopped in front of two heavy oak doors. Zhivagin stopped and turned to Chekalov and Gulia, his tone polite but uncompromising: "Please wait here for a moment, I will escort the general in."

Upon hearing that she was to be left outside, Gulia became anxious and opened her mouth to say something, but Sokov raised his hand to stop her, his voice gentle yet commanding: "Lieutenant Gulia. Follow the Major's orders and stay outside to wait for me."

Although Gulia was unwilling, Sokov had already given the order, so she could only helplessly reply, "Understood, Comrade General! I will stay here and wait for you to come out."

Sokov nodded slightly, quite satisfied with Gulia's efforts, then turned to Zhivagin, who was pushing the cart, and asked, "Comrade Major, may we go in now?"

(End of this chapter)