Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 1218: Capture of Khabarovsk City

Keningan led the main force of the 98th Mountain Infantry Regiment slowly into Khabarovsk. With every step forward, they felt more deeply the devastating blow brought by the Mother of Bombs.

The main roads in the city have been completely destroyed. Huge craters have been blown out of the asphalt roads, some of which are several meters deep. Broken electric poles are leaning here and there, and cables are hanging like withered vines. Most of the buildings on the roadside have become ruins, with bricks and rubble piled up like mountains. Occasionally, some broken furniture and daily necessities can be seen emerging from the ruins.

"Be careful with underground pipes," Keningan warned the troops. "The explosion may have damaged the gas pipeline."

They passed by a former military camp. A battalion of soldiers should have been stationed here, but now only charred ruins remained. Overturned armored vehicles were scattered around, some even blown dozens of meters away. There was only a huge pit left where the ammunition depot was, and the surrounding ground was burned black.

"Reporting to the regiment commander," a scout came running, "some surviving enemy soldiers were found in the basement ahead, and they asked to surrender."

Keningan nodded: "Send someone to receive the prisoners and ensure their safety."

Continuing forward, they came to the city center. The damage here was even more serious. A mother of all bombs hit the command center directly, razing several surrounding blocks to the ground. The center of the huge crater was still smoking, and all the surrounding buildings collapsed, forming a death zone.

"General Kulikov and his staff are here," the deputy commander whispered, "but I'm afraid they are no longer alive."

The air was filled with a pungent smell of burning, and from time to time, waves of heat surged out from the ground. The occasional crackling sound of metal cooling in the ruins reminded people of the high-temperature hell that had been experienced here not long ago.

An old soldier picked up a twisted metal plate on the side of the road: "This is the logo of the air defense unit... The entire air defense system has been destroyed."

They passed by a former hospital, of which only half was left standing. Medical equipment was scattered among the ruins, and blood-stained sheets rustled in the wind. Several surviving medical staff were searching for the wounded in the ruins, and when they saw the soldiers of the 98th Regiment, they looked tired and frightened.

"Send the medical team to assist in the rescue," Kernen ordered. "The war is over, now is the time to save lives."

Standing on the top of a half-destroyed building at the highest point in the city, Kningan overlooked the entire city of Khabarovsk. The once prosperous city now seemed to have experienced a catastrophe. Three huge bomb craters were clearly visible, and the surrounding buildings collapsed like dominoes. Thick smoke was still rising, covering half of the sky.

"This is the power of modern warfare," Keningan muttered to himself, "Three bombs destroyed the defense system of a city."

Behind him, the soldiers of the 98th Mountain Infantry Regiment were taking over the city in an orderly manner. They searched every ruin, rescued survivors, and received surrendered enemy troops. In these ruins, a new order was being established.

"Report, the remnants of the enemy army, about ten people, were found in the east area, and they are resisting stubbornly." A report from the company commander came through the communicator.

"Deal with them," Cunningham replied briefly, "but give them a chance to surrender."

The occupation of the entire city went surprisingly smoothly. The mother of all bombs not only destroyed the defense facilities of Khabarovsk, but also destroyed the will of the defenders to resist. Most of the surviving enemy troops voluntarily laid down their weapons and surrendered when they saw the 98th Mountain Regiment advancing.

The first company searched the eastern area, clearing the ruins of buildings one by one. The occasional sporadic resistance was quickly suppressed. A squad of soldiers had just dealt with a stubborn resistance point and found only three terrified enemy soldiers inside, their uniforms blackened by smoke.

&34;The second company reports that the hospital area has been cleared and a large number of wounded have been found, requesting medical support. &34;

&34;The third company reports that the western arsenal has been completely destroyed, and there are still sporadic explosions at the scene. It is recommended to block the area. &34;

Keningan stood in the command position and listened to the reports of each company. They adopted a zone search strategy, dividing the entire city into several areas for cleanup. Each company was equipped with translators and medical personnel, who had to deal with the enemy and rescue civilians.

"Be careful," Keningan reminded the troops. "There may be unexploded ordnance in the ruins."

While clearing the ruins of the city hall, a platoon encountered a group of enemy officers hiding in the basement. These people seemed to have not yet recovered from the shock of the air raid, and when they saw the Chinese soldiers, they immediately raised their hands and surrendered.

"They say General Kulikov and the entire command were killed in the air raid," the translator reported to the platoon leader, "there is no one left who can organize effective resistance."

As time went by, the sounds of fighting in the city became less and less. There were more shouts from rescuers and the sound of clearing the ruins. The soldiers of the 98th Mountain Regiment not only had to take over the city, but also had to prevent secondary disasters from happening.

Finally, two hours after the air raid began, a soldier climbed to the highest point of the city hall and firmly fixed the Chinese flag on the flagpole. The bright flag fluttered in the smoky sky, announcing the change of ownership of the city.

"Report to the regiment commander," the deputy regiment commander walked to Keningan, "The cleanup operations of each company have basically been completed, and all important positions have been controlled. There are about 34 prisoners, most of whom are surrendered enemy troops."

Keningan nodded and looked at the fluttering military flag. This battle was completely different from what they had expected. They thought they would encounter stubborn resistance and fierce street fighting. But the power of the mother of bombs changed everything. They were almost conducting a search and rescue operation in the ruins.

"Count the casualties," Kningan ordered, "and strengthen control of the city to prevent the enemy from counterattacking."

"Understood." The deputy head saluted and turned to leave.

Keningan was sitting in the temporary regimental headquarters, a building that was less damaged. The signalman had just established contact with the Northern Division.

"Reporting to the commander, this is the 34th Mountain Regiment." Kningan's voice was filled with the joy of victory, "The city of Khabarovsk has been completely controlled by us. The attack of the Mother of Three Bombs completely destroyed the enemy's defense system, and Kulikov and his command were completely wiped out. We are currently clearing out the remaining enemies and have captured about 98 people."

Delan's voice came from the communicator: "Well done, Keningan! The Mountain Regiment is worthy of being the elite of the Mountain Eagle Division. This operation was completed very well."

"This is thanks to the support of the Air Force," Cunningham said modestly. "The power of the mother of all bombs... is simply amazing."

"That's true," Delan's tone became serious, "but I have good news for you. Our Northern Division is tightening the encirclement, and the 34th Armored Division has been trapped. Their fuel supply lines have been cut off, and their tanks have basically become fixed firepower points."

Keningan looked at the map carefully and asked: "Sir, what is the situation of the 34th Motorized Infantry Brigade?"

"They want to break out," Delan said with a sneer in his voice, "but in this weather, the advantages of motorized troops are gone. Our troops are eating away at them bit by bit. It is expected that in a few hours, these two troops will be completely wiped out."

&34;This means...&34; Cunningham mused.

"That's right," Delan took over the conversation, "The main force of the Tsarist Russia in the Far East was basically eaten up by us. Their rule here has come to an end."

Keningan stood up and walked to the window. Through the broken glass, he could see the Chinese flag flying over the city.

"Sir," he said, "have we made history?"

"Of course," Delan's voice was full of pride, "this is not only a military victory, but also a turning point of the times. The power of the mother of bombs proves that traditional fortifications are no longer effective. And we are writing a new history of war."

"I understand," Keningan said, "I will continue to consolidate my control over Khabarovsk and await further instructions."