The President nodded agreement. “Who commanded the team? The report omitted that important detail.”

“It was led by one of our best, Your Excellency, Major Anatoly Nikolayevich Vronsky, 45th Guards Spetsnaz Regiment. Awarded Hero of the Russian Federation twelve years ago for his gallantry in North Caucasus. Son of a Soviet tank officer who had to become a taxi driver to feed his family after the fall of the Soviet Union. He went as an exchange student to a US university after doing his military service. When he finished in America, he became a professional army officer before passing the selection process for Special Forces.”

The President was silent for a moment, his earlier anger dissipated. “A tricky operation, I accept, and Major Vronsky seems to have recovered from the initial setback in an exemplary fashion. He did well.”

He looked up at Komarov. “Convey my displeasure to General Denisenko. There must be no more mistakes if he is to remain as Commander of Special Operations Forces Command. Is that clear?”

“Very clear, Your Excellency.” Komarov would pass on the rebuke, but he knew the President well enough to see that he was secretly pleased. The execution of Trapnell would send a strong signal of Russian determination. “Your Excellency, may I now call the meeting?” He passed an agenda and updated brief to the President, who nodded his agreement.

The double doors were opened by the guards and the President’s Deputy, the Foreign Minister, Finance Minister, Interior Minister, Defense Minister and the Chief of the Russian General Staff entered.

The President remained seated.

“Sit,” he commanded.

Komarov took his habitual seat as note taker at the foot of the table. From there he could see the President directly. The others took their usual places at the conference table.

They waited for the President to speak, faces strained, wondering who would be his first target. He was a man who applied the principle of divide and rule to his allies and subordinates as much as to his enemies.

They did not have to wait long. The President looked hard at the Defense Minister who, despite his background as a minor Communist Party functionary and never having heard a shot fired in anger, was resplendent in the uniform of a General of the Army, complete with the ribbon of Hero of the Russian Federation displayed prominently among the multiple other ribbons on his chest.

“Alexandr Borisovich, I’ve read the report on the capture of the Americans in detail. I am not impressed that one was killed. We will turn it to our advantage but, be in no doubt, I will accept no more mistakes.”

The Defense Minister shifted uneasily in his chair. “Understood, Vladimir Vladimirovich. It will not happen again.”

“I have also read the report on the situation in eastern Ukraine and am content that it remains relatively quiet,” said the President, looking at Komarov for confirmation.