Free Russochina

**Free Russochina** is a country occupying Russia, Mongolia and parts of China. It is a military dictatorship run by the Transitory People's Congress and is currently engaged in a war with the neighboring UTCE.

## Overview

The government of Free Russochina imposes punishments against Loyalists, transcendists, and political dissidents while rewarding those who report such individuals. To this end, extensive surveillance and spying are employed against civilians. Intense propaganda inspires citizens to report those who display behavior suggesting Loyalist tendencies.

The TPC follows a form of state capitalism, but also issues merchant licenses to civilians under the condition that they serve in the State Armed Forces.

## History

Free Russochina was established in 2 AL by the Eurasian Liberation Army, a paramilitary insurgent group.

Engel Haas, leader of the Ukrainian detachment, followed the example set by his contemporary Lyall M. Seyler and established the Transitory People's Congress in an attempt to implement Direction Theory. However, the TPC gradually became more entrenched in the politics of Russochina and consolidated greater levels of power. Fearmongering campaigns personally cleared by Haas led to great internal strife as all traces of Loyalism were violently uprooted. Russochina's aggressive approach to the apprehension of Loyalists weakened its relations with neighboring nations, most notably the UTCE.

#### War with the UTCE

On January 2nd, 10 AL, Lyall's husband Jonathan Seyler was sent to Moscow to attend a diplomatic summit. Seyler was allowed to stay in a room in the Congressional Palace. Custodial staff reported that Seyler was acting suspicious, avoiding eye contact with cleaning personnel and often muttering under his breath. During the summit on January 3rd, Seyler was vocally critical of the TPC's growing power. The reports from the staff combined with Seyler's skepticism of the TPC led to suspicions that he was a Loyalist conspirator.

Surveillance against Seyler was raised. Audio bugs were placed in his room and police agents disguised as custodial staff were instructed to watch his movements. On January 4th, Seyler was arrested by Haas' order and sent to Birkutgrad Prison, where he was held for several weeks. Seyler was also publicly denounced as a saboteur and a Loyalist conspirator.

On January 10th, a concerned Lyall contacted Haas personally and asked for her husband's whereabouts. Haas claimed that Jonathan had been arrested after binge drinking and injuring a police officer, but Lyall, suspicious of Haas' nonchalant attitude, sent several Trident agents to Russochina to investigate. Lyall again questioned Haas on Jonathan's whereabouts, prompting Haas to publicly announce his extradition back to the UTCE.

Jonathan was scheduled to be extradited on January 20th, but the public announcement drew several hecklers. As he was being moved to an armored convoy, Jonathan was attacked by a mob and beaten severely. He later died from his injuries at around 4PM on January 21st.

On January 22nd, Lyall was convinced Haas was not extraditing Jonathan and arranged for a personal meeting in the Congressional Palace in Moscow. After an intense argument, Haas revealed Jonathan's fate. Lyall, enraged, bludgeoned Haas unconscious with a ceramic bust and left the Palace. Haas was discovered several hours later by a cleaner, but paramedics were unable to revive him. Haas was pronounced dead at 2:30 AM on January 23rd.

Upon Lyall's return, the fate of her husband and of Engel Haas was made public and war was declared on Free Russochina.

## Culture

Russochinese culture is intensely nationalistic, bolstered by state propaganda. This nationalism is reflected in art and media, much of which is produced or cleared by the TPC.

## Technology

As with the UTCE, automated technology is shunned in Russochina. This is due to the connotation of automation with the Combine.

Unlike other Liberation states, the Russochinese military does not use pulse weaponry due to its association with Overwatch. Instead, the High Army of the People utilize a proprietary class of conventional weapons firing caseless ammunition.