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

Chapter 1199: The Throat

Khabarovsk is a core city in the Far East.

This city straddling the Ussuri River is not only the most important industrial base in the Far East, but also the hub of the entire Far East railway network. Countless railway lines intersect here, leading to Khabarovsk in the north, Vladivostok in the south, and extending to Lake Baikal in the west.

In the defense system of the Russian Far East Army, Khabarovsk was like a huge steel nail in the heart of the Far East. It not only stored a large amount of military supplies, but was also the most important military station center in the entire Far East. A steady stream of supplies was transported from here to various war zones.

"Taking Khabarovsk," Otto said, looking at the city's outline looming in the snowstorm, "is equivalent to cutting off the throat of the Russian Far East Army."

Delan nodded: "That's right. Once Khabarovsk falls, the Far Eastern Army Command in Khabarovsk will be caught in the dilemma of being divided between the north and the south. Their troops in Vladivostok will not be able to reinforce the north, and the troops in the north will also lose the passage to the south."

"More importantly," Otto's eyes flashed with a sharp light, "the loss of Khabarovsk will bring a fatal psychological blow to the Far Eastern Army. Blagoveshchensk may be explained as being caught off guard, but if even a core town like Khabarovsk cannot be defended..."

"The morale of the entire Far Eastern Army will collapse," Delan took over, "and they will begin to doubt whether they can still defend other cities."

"That's right," Otto picked up the telescope and observed the city in the distance through the wind and snow. "This is not only a military attack, but also a strategic blow. Taking over Khabarovsk is equivalent to breaking the backbone of the Russian Far East Army."

The armored column continued to advance in the snow. Every officer and soldier of the Northern Division understood that the significance of this battle was far greater than the gain or loss of a city. This was an action that could change the entire war situation, and they would become the creators of this historic moment.

1st Air Division, Heijiang Airport.

Li Harman stood in the control tower, looking through the thick glass window at the reconnaissance plane on the apron ready to take off. The wind and snow were still raging outside, and visibility was extremely low, but he knew that this mission was crucial.

"Attention all units," Li Haman picked up the intercom, his voice firm and clear, "The reconnaissance aircraft formation will take off immediately, targeting the Khabarovsk area."

"Division Commander," a staff officer stepped forward, "Flying in this kind of weather is very risky."

"I know," Li Haman nodded, "but we must understand the enemy's defensive deployment. The offensive plan of the Northern Division cannot go wrong."

On the tarmac, the engines of several reconnaissance planes began to roar, and the propellers drew blurred arcs in the wind and snow. The ground crew quickly completed the final inspection and refueling in the wind and snow.

"Attention, all crews," Lee Hamman continued to give orders, "Maintain radio silence and try to avoid being detected by enemy radar."

"Understood, Commander." The crew chief's voice came over the intercom.

Following the command from the tower, the first reconnaissance plane slowly slid out of the hangar and accelerated along the snow-covered runway to take off. Immediately afterwards, the second and third reconnaissance planes took off one after another and disappeared in the snowstorm.

"Good luck to them," Li Hamman whispered, watching the formation of reconnaissance planes disappear from sight.

In this snowstorm, the mission of the reconnaissance aircraft is particularly difficult. The pilots must pass through the enemy's air defense network in extremely harsh weather conditions to obtain the most critical intelligence.

"Once the reconnaissance plane sends back the intelligence," Lee Hamman turned to the staff, "we will immediately analyze it and formulate a detailed air strike plan. We must ensure that the Northland Division's offensive can proceed smoothly."

In the command tower, everyone was busy and nervous. Everyone knew that the success or failure of this reconnaissance mission would directly affect the progress of the entire campaign. And they had to pave the way for the victory of the Northern Division in this snowstorm.

In the snow, the reconnaissance formation flew high in the sky, the wings trembling slightly in the strong wind. The pilots were fully focused, holding the joystick tightly, trying to keep the aircraft stable.

"Attention, all aircraft," the formation leader whispered over the radio, "Enter the interference zone and activate the electronic jamming equipment."

As the order was issued, the electronic jammer on the reconnaissance aircraft began to operate, emitting weak electromagnetic waves to interfere with the enemy's radar signals. The crew members knew that although this interference could not completely hide their tracks, it could at least make the enemy's radar signals unclear.

"Maintain altitude," the formation leader continued to command, "fly as close to the clouds as possible and use the wind and snow to protect yourself."

The reconnaissance plane flew through the snow, its fuselage looming in the clouds. The pilots carefully adjusted the flight altitude and speed to ensure that they would not be discovered by the enemy's ground anti-aircraft firepower.

&34;Target area approaching,&34; the navigator reported,&34;ready to begin recording.&34;

The reconnaissance aircraft formation gradually approached the outskirts of the Khabarovsk area, and the pilots observed the situation on the ground through the cockpit glass. Although visibility was extremely low, they could still vaguely identify the enemy's fortifications and troop movements on the ground.

"Recording begins," the formation leader gives the order, "Pay attention to photographing key areas, especially anti-aircraft positions and armored assembly areas."

The onboard cameras began to operate, recording the enemy's deployment on the ground. The pilots carefully observed the changes on the ground while operating the aircraft to ensure that no important information was missed.

The reconnaissance plane continued to fly in the snow and completed the preliminary reconnaissance of the outskirts of Khabarovsk. The pilots knew that this valuable intelligence would provide vital support for the Northern Division's offensive.

In the snow, the reconnaissance formation began to lower its altitude and approach the city of Khabarovsk. This was the most dangerous stage of the mission, and every pilot held his breath and was on edge.

"Attention, all aircraft," the commander's voice was exceptionally calm over the radio, "Begin close observation and maintain the lowest flight altitude."

The reconnaissance plane flew close to the bottom of the clouds, using the cover of wind and snow to approach the target area. While controlling the plane, the leader quickly recorded the situation on the ground:

&34;To the southeast, a large ammunition depot was discovered, surrounded by anti-aircraft firepower...&34;

&34;In the northwest area, armored vehicles are gathering, with a number of about 80-100 vehicles...&34;

&34;A large number of fortifications were observed on the main roads in the city, and there may be underground bunkers...&34;

Every detail was carefully recorded and every anomaly was noted. The commander knew that this information was crucial to the Northland Division's offensive plan.

Suddenly, a beam of light from a searchlight penetrated the wind and snow and swept towards the sky. The leader of the formation immediately adjusted the course and led the formation to hide in the denser clouds.

"Continue recording," he whispered, "focusing on anti-aircraft firepower deployment."

The reconnaissance plane continued to hover on the edge of death, collecting every detail that could affect the war situation. This was a mission to race against time, and every extra second of staying would increase the danger.