Battle of Chernobyl

## About

The Battle of Chernobyl was a small battle between EFAF and UN allied forces versus HRA troops that took place on April 19th, 2023. After the allied defeat at the Battle of the Radar Station, they pulled back to the fortified positions located in Chernobyl. Prior to the battle, the power plant had been carelessly shelled by HRA artillery, sparking a fire in the facility with the potential of releasing radioactive particles to the surrounding area. Local fire crews attempted to subdue the flames, though the threat of approaching hostile forces caused the first responders to flee the area, leaving their heavy equipment behind.

## Battle

Due to the heavy armor losses suffered on both sides during the previous battle, motor crews had little to work with. Much of their units consisted of hastily built armored trucks and transport vehicles, with only a handful of tanks. Allied forces took up defensive positions across the river that bisects the plant. Colonel Singh's battered 1st Battalion, Companies A and B were equipped with 2 MTB-2s, a medium-sized tank. At sunset, the peacekeepers moved to capture the fields outside of the facility and almost immediately came under fire from enemy forces who had already arrived. While initially successful, the first UN armored vehicle was destroyed as they tried to move back for cover. EFAF troops focused their attention on the center where the main facility laid, having to move quickly with inferior equipment.

The second MTB-2 crew opted to take the left flank, attempting to secure the power station. The crew faced little resistance taking the position, well-armed and ready. They easily destroyed the enemy's lightly armored vehicles, racking up many confirmed enemy casualties. This allowed the peacekeepers to move up and around the facility, flanking HRA troops from behind who were attempting to secure the plant. Under the aid of EFAF troops, they heavily contested the position with the tank crew eventually having to fall back due to ammo and fuel stocks running low.

Once resupplied, they moved to reinforce the EFAF forces attacking the plant, which had fallen into enemy hands. This time they charged the position head on, coming under immense fire from armored vehicles and infantry, who had anti-tank weapons. Despite being alone and outnumbered, the crew held on ferociously, moving down troops with their mounted machine guns. At this point, the tank became immobile and the operator allegedly needed to repair while the loader defended against waves of incoming troops. Having lost their gunner to enemy fire, the two remaining crewmembers were completely pinned.

In an outstanding piece of soldiering, the injured operator had gotten the tank mobile again and desperately fled the position through the power plant, narrowly escaping death. The two-man crew limped their tank back to near their encampment, however by this point, the battle was over with forces on both sides being exhausted.

## Aftermath

When the fighting ceased, the battle was deemed inconclusive, with both sides failing to gain any foothold on any strategically advantageous position. However, on a tactical level, the allied forces can be considered victorious, suffering fewer losses and thwarting the enemy from capturing the position, likely lowering the enemy's morale, and giving them an edge with their advance.

The Eaglish casualties rates were as high as 22%, a costly battle that ultimately rendered an indecisive result. They lost 36 soldiers, along with roughly 8 vehicles. UN forces lost a mere 4 troops, along with one of two MTB-2 tanks deployed to the area. With such little strength in terms of manpower and armor, both companies retired from the battlefield to resupply, not anticipating any HRA offensive at that position anytime soon.

HRA casualties also hovered around 22%, a higher count of individual soldiers, with UN forces claiming most of the kills. Their superior equipment along with aggressive counterattacks proved beneficial for the allies. The HRA were confirmed to have lost 5 vehicles and 44 of their own soldiers.