“The weakness of our so-called leaders has allowed a tragedy to take place. The Americans have preyed on our vulnerability and had the effrontery to brazenly attack our ships in our sovereign waters! They have done so without reason or provocation. They have murdered our brave sailors before our very eyes. All the weaklings in Moscow have offered as a response to their massacre are apologies! It is time for this to stop!” Durov slammed his fist down hard onto the lectern. It shook so violently that a glass of water danced off the edge and crashed to the floor. “The Rodina will once again assume her rightful role in the world. We will demand the respect that the free people of our country deserve.”

Durov paused and stared into the camera. His icy blue eyes flashed with pure hatred.

“Even as late as today the Americans have blatantly dispatched one of their submarines into the Murmansk Fjord in violation of every principle of international law. We believe we know the reason for that treacherous incursion. I am proud to report that the ships of our mighty Navy trapped it and destroyed the invader! We will suffer these insults no more!” Durov drew himself up to full height, standing rigidly erect as he went on. “I must also tell you that President Smitrov is missing and we fear he has been kidnapped by the Americans. We believe a special operations team accomplished this unspeakable act. We further believe that the renegade submarine had entered our territorial waters to retrieve that team and the president. We do not know if that retrieval took place before the invading boat was destroyed. Nor do we know if President Smitrov is alive or dead. However, the Russian military, with me at its head, has taken control of the puppet government of our country before the Americans can take advantage of our weakness and further escalate their aggression against us. All officials will immediately swear loyalty to the new government that is being formed or they will be dealt with along with all other traitors and cowards.

“Just like in times in the past, the sailors of the Rodina will once again be at the forefront of the battle. The grandchildren of the brave sailors on the Kronstadt stand ready to defend the motherland. They are manning the capital ships of this century and training their weapons on those who would falter in reaching our destiny.”

Admiral Durov turned abruptly and marched off the stage, out of camera range, ignoring the questions being shouted at his back.