“The Latvians fought hard, but their army was only five thousand full timers and twenty thousand reservists, many of whom never even deployed in time. They didn’t stand a chance. We’re lucky NATO hadn’t stationed any well-armed, permanent forces there. That could have changed things completely.”

“So, there was no NATO involvement?” persisted the President.

“Well, not quite, Vladimir Vladimirovich. The Americans sent a large detachment to Lielvārde Air Base to set things up for their F-16 force. The F-16s got out just in time, but the detachment of airmen joined the Latvians in the defense of the air base. They fought bravely. The survivors are now prisoners of war.”

“Make sure they’re properly treated. They’ll be useful bargaining chips if we have to negotiate . . . as we may have to, if this triggers NATO into reacting.” The President looked thoughtful, doubtless trying to ponder the consequences of this unexpected and unwelcome bit of news. Then he changed the topic. “You said they fought bravely. What about our losses?”

The Defense Minister, once again in his heavily bemedaled uniform, decided to push himself forward, doubtless keen to share in the glory of the moment. “Insignificant among the airborne infantry, Vladimir Vladimirovich,” he asserted.

An interesting statement, thought Komarov, because just before coming up to the bridge, he had heard that there had been significant losses among the attackers, both at Lielvārde and the international airport at Riga.

“What exactly do you mean by insignificant, Alexandr Borisovich?” asked the President.

The Defense Minister opened his mouth, but it was clear he did not know the answer, so Gareyev stepped back in.

“First reports indicate at least ten-per-cent casualties, which is heavy. Around forty killed in action and over two hundred and fifty wounded. Although overwhelmed, the Latvians fought like devils,” he said, with a soldier’s respect for a tough adversary.

“Anything else?”

This time the Defense Minister did have his facts to hand as he spoke again. “The Air Force lost two Su-25 Frogfoots, shot down by a US-piloted F-16 over Lielvārde.”

Komarov noted that the President looked angry at this news and he knew just why. Although a veteran of Soviet times, so by no means a state-of-the-art aircraft, the Frogfoot was a highly capable machine and they could ill afford to lose any this early in the game.

“Tell me the American was shot down.”

“No, Vladimir Vladimirovich. He got away.”

“Two of our best fighters for none of theirs. You told me that our planes were every bit as good as theirs . . .”

“They are, Vladimir Vladimirovich. But when planes are matched it comes down to the individual skills and war-fighting experience of the pilots. This man is an ace and—”

“You know him?” the President demanded.

“Our people intercepted his radio transmissions. We believe he is the same pilot that knocked down our plane over Donbass—”