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Chapter 2533 We're Here to Fight Terrorism Too (Second Update, Please Subscribe)

As evening approached, the setting sun finally pierced through the clouds, gilding the Mediterranean Sea with a golden hue.

The Yongning destroyer had approached within 10 nautical miles. Captain Dai Pengcheng stood on the bridge, observing the massive hull of the Minsk through binoculars.

Meanwhile, officers on the hull side were taking detailed photos of the Minsk with high-powered cameras. This was their first time being so close to the aircraft carrier.

After all, under normal circumstances, the surrounding escort ships would not allow them to take pictures at such close range, a distance that would allow them to see many details that they had never noticed before.

For example, it actually uses a phased array radar, which is somewhat unexpected.

"They deliberately let us get close..."

"This is also to show us its power!"

strength!

The very existence of an aircraft carrier is a demonstration of power, especially one with dozens of advanced carrier-based aircraft!

"Immediately issue an ultimatum to the Soviet fleet."

Dai Pengcheng gave the order:

"They were ordered to change course immediately and leave the area, which is the combat zone designated by the Allied fleet."

A response came quickly from the Minsk via communicator, still Kokinachev's calm voice:
"SEA destroyer, this is the Soviet Navy's 'Minsk' carrier strike group. We are conducting a routine deployment and are navigating in international waters. In accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, we have the right to pass through this area."

"Your presence is interfering with our military operations!"

Dai Pengcheng said:
"Please leave immediately!"

“Tell them that their military operations were not authorized by the United Nations.”

Kokinachev's voice was calm:

"We do not recognize this unilateral act of war."

Dai Pengcheng frowned. In such a maritime confrontation, the most absurd thing is this "non-recognition". The other side does not recognize the war zone you have designated. They insist on breaking in. What can you do?
There are only two choices: either let it in or resolutely stop it.

Dai Pengcheng knew that a single destroyer was no match for the Soviet carrier battle group.

"Report to fleet headquarters immediately and request support!"

On the deck of the Minsk, six MiG-29s took off again, forming a tight aerial surveillance circle, with anti-ship missiles under their fuselages pointing directly at the SEA destroyer.

Kokinachev, however, appeared unusually calm.

He knew that the SEA would not open fire easily; in the context of the Cold War, this military standoff was more of a psychological game.

He picked up his coffee cup, took a sip of the warm coffee, and stared intently at the shipping lane ahead—not their final destination in Tartus, Syria, of course.

But Moscow’s orders were very clear: they wanted to demonstrate strength, but at the same time avoid conflict if they recklessly stormed the Soviet naval base in Syria—the port of Tartus.

Then the other side will definitely do everything in their power to intercept us, and at that point, it won't just be a standoff anymore.

Moscow wasn't crazy, so the order he received was very simple—to enter Syrian waters.

As night falls, the surface of the Mediterranean Sea returns to calm, but beneath the surface, undercurrents surge.

The Minsk carrier strike group maintained a steady speed and sailed toward Syria.

The Yongning followed at a distance, neither approaching nor leaving, and the two sides remained in a state of observation.

Inside the bridge, Kokinachev still stood in front of the observation deck, the sea shimmering in the night, with the SEA warships accompanying them in the distance.

He picked up the radio and addressed the entire fleet:
"Comrades, we are carrying out a glorious mission: to defend the interests of the Soviet Union and support our allies. No matter how many difficulties lie ahead, we will forge ahead."

After hanging up the microphone, Kokinachev knew that the standoff was not over yet, that SEA reinforcements would arrive soon, and that the storm in the Mediterranean would become even fiercer.

Whether this standoff will escalate into war depends not on Moscow or Chang'an, but on whether the soldiers on the front lines exercise restraint.

In the early hours of the morning, four more coalition destroyers arrived, including one British and one Canadian destroyer, and joined the "Yongning" to form a fleet of moderate size involving multiple countries. They maintained a distance of 10 nautical miles from the "Minsk" formation and sailed parallel to it.

On the sea, warships from both countries sailed side by side, while in the air, SEA fighter jets and Soviet MiG-29s patrolled alternately, creating a strange balance.

The MiG-29 drew a graceful arc in the morning breeze as it flew toward the Minsk, while the F-3 fighters remained nearby, both sides maintaining a degree of restraint.

The Soviet fleet sailed precisely along the perimeter of the Allied-designated warning zone, without entering it, merely skimming the line. Faced with this maneuver, the Allied forces could only remain on the sidelines and observe.

The Mediterranean sun slowly rose, casting golden rays onto the deck of the Minsk and the bridge of the SEA destroyer. Naval officers from both countries gazed at each other's fleets.

They both knew that the standoff would continue, but neither side would back down first.

Of course, the Soviets did not venture any deeper; they simply continued sailing towards the Syrian seas—they considered it a victory to have reached even the nearby waters!
The Minsk's whistle suddenly sounded, breaking the morning's tranquility. This whistle seemed more like a symbol of the Soviet Navy entering a new era.

Kokinachev lowered his binoculars and gave the order to the navigator:
"Borrow unchanged, speed 18 knots, continue sailing towards Syria."

Under the morning sun, the aircraft carrier "Minsk" led its massive fleet, like a sharp sword cleaving through the waves of the Mediterranean, resolutely heading towards its destination.

Behind them, the SEA fleet adjusted its course, maintaining close tracking. Ironwing had returned to its nest, but the standoff above the raging waves had only just entered its most crucial phase.

Kokinachev, standing on the bridge, pondered for a moment, then said:

"Moscow – The Minsk is sailing toward Syria!"

……

"Minsk Sets Sail"

When this news made headlines around the world, and when people saw the Minsk aircraft carrier, what did they feel?
"It's power!"

On his way to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Milovich, the Soviet representative to the SEA, said in a rather smug tone:
“In the past, for Western countries, aircraft carriers were the exclusive property of the Americans, the SEA, and the British. Whenever a crisis occurred in a region, the US president would ask, ‘Where are our aircraft carriers?’”

Then Milovic paused slightly and said:

"But things are different now. We now possess an aircraft carrier belonging to the Soviet Union, and our aircraft carrier is equally powerful, one that has shocked the world—the Minsk! Now they have seen it and realized our strength!"

powerful!

Milovic emphasized the word "powerful," then looked out the window and said:
"In the past, we had to make concessions in every naval standoff because we couldn't use nuclear submarines to fight a fleet or cruisers to fight an aircraft carrier. But what about now?"

Minsk

Sitting in the passenger seat, Representative Counselor Nikolai said:

"We also have aircraft carriers, so we can confront them on the sea and in the air, and their so-called air superiority has vanished."

"Yes, that's right. This is precisely what makes this confrontation different from the past. We have what they have, and they no longer have a one-sided advantage!"

This is precisely the biggest problem they faced in their past confrontations—because without aircraft carriers, each confrontation ended in a dismal defeat. But what about now?
"Therefore, we need to go there and show them our stance—we will not back down or yield!"

This was precisely why Milovic went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—to deliver a note, which was a continuation of the Mediterranean confrontation.

When neither side in a maritime confrontation is likely to engage in large-scale trade wars, then what remains is the "battlefield of diplomats."

The Minsk aircraft carrier was the first card the Soviet Union played. So what was the next card?

Thinking of this, Milovic's smile grew wider. At this moment, he was even looking forward to seeing what kind of expression the other party would have after he submitted the note.

What is the essence of this note?
That's the Minsk!

Just thinking about it makes Milovic wish he could go to the Middle East and personally board that aircraft carrier that changed the game.

Aircraft carriers are weapons that change all the rules of the sea!

It has changed not only maritime rules, but also diplomatic rules!

In the past, the Soviet Union had to swallow its pride because it didn't have it, but what about now?

The Soviet Union will use it to make its voice heard! Of course, aircraft carriers can only transmit signals, while diplomats... are there to make their voices heard!

Diplomats' voices, on the other hand, are based on signals.

And so, with barely suppressed excitement, Milovic arrived at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Looking at the Ministry building, he took a deep breath, then stepped out of his car. An SEA diplomat was already there. Upon meeting, he said:
"Sir, the executive director is waiting for you."

Because it was a special request for an audience, Executive Director Song Deqing waited patiently for Milovic. What was this guy up to?
Just as he was pondering this question, the door opened, and Milovic and Nikolai entered. Milovic bowed first and said:
"Mr. Executive Director."

"Representative."

After bowing, Milovic took an official letter from his assistant and then said to Song Deqing:

"Sir, according to orders from Moscow, I need to brief you on the Soviet naval fleet's counter-terrorism operations in Syrian waters..."

(End of this chapter)