Abt
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The Abt Republic is a young sovereign state occupying the north-eastern corner of the continent of Ambara. It was founded by a group of former Taraskovyan mercenaries called the Free Axemen. The Grand Duchy of Tarasovka recognized the independence of the state when it was formally declared. The peaceful separation from the mother country sparked a wave of immigration from Tarasovka by many hopeful republicans that saw in Abt the perfect realization of their ideals.
Contents
History
The Republic was founded by a Taraskovyan Free Mercenary Corps called the Free Axemen, numbering approximately five thousand personnel with their families. The first group of two thousand men first debarked in Abt Bay, from which the present country takes its name, and founded the city of Belgorod.
The initial settlers received a rather mixed welcome from the local powers. The Resurgent Dream was quick to establish relations but Pantocratorian Ambara and Pantocratoria viewed the newly founded Republic with much suspicion. This was in part due to the ambiguous legal status of the colony vis-à-vis Taraskovya itself, since the settlers did not declare independence right away. It was also due to the ambiguous legal status of lands not yet claimed by a specific power but possessing clear strategic relevance for a number of powers.
On 21 April 1149, the people of Abt officially proclaimed an Oath of Abjuration, severing their ties with the Grand Duchy and renouncing their Taraskovyan citizenship. Grand Duke Mikhail II chose to recognize the new state for a variety of reasons and has influenced the Grand Ducal Parliament into accepting the Oath of Abjuration. Thus, Abt became independent.
Shortly after, an official conference of Ambaran powers has decided to recognize the Abtian claim over Northern Sahor, while passing the rest under Danaan stewardship.
Politics
Abt is a unitary democratic republic with a unicameral legislature, the Duma. Members of Parliament are elected directly by the population on a proportional basis from twenty electoral districts.
The Head of State is the President, who is elected by direct popular vote and forms the Cabinet of Ministers. The current President is Aorin Kelberath, Commander of the former Free Axemen FMC before they officially disbanded to retire into civilian life or integrated the ARDF.
Taraskovyan Influence
It is widely speculated that the Grand Duchy of Tarasovka continues to manipulate the politics of Abt from the shadows. The Grand Ducal interest can be explained by the fact that Abt serves as a magnet for various Taraskovyan romantic republicans and, as such, is both a useful tool and a potentially dangerous enemy.
Demographics
The quasi-entirety of the population is of Taraskovyan Russian origins, with some minor traces of Taraskath kin. Small minorities also exist. The population continues to grow, thanks to an influx of migrants from Taraskovya and, in a smaller part, from other countries.
The overwhelming majority of the republic’s population dwells on the shores of the Abt Bay, with a thin population stretched over the rest of the territory.
The language spoken by the majority population is Russian, which is also the de facto official language.
Since the near-entire population consists of devout Taraskovyan Orthodox, the Vigvar Patriarchate received the status of State Church. The situation is curious, since the Patriarchate does not enjoy a State Church status back in Taraskovya proper. The Eparchy of Belgorod watches over the Abtian faithful.
Military
The Abt Republic Defence Force (Russian: Оборонные Войска Республики, " Republic's Defence Forces") is charged with defence of the Republic against threads originating outside of Abtian borders, as well as upkeeping the peace within the borders of the Republic. Service is voluntary, even if it many Abtian young men consider it a moral obligation to enroll at least into the People's Militia. Many are also attracted by the tax discounts granted to those serving or having done service with the ARDF.
The ARDF is organised into four branches: Abt Republic Army, Abt Republic Navy, Abt Republic Air Force and the People’s Militia.
Additionally, the Special Operations Directorate (Управление Специальных Операций) is directly subordinate to the General Staff and is responsible for intelligence gathering, military counter-intelligence and special operations.
Branches
Abt Republic Army
The Abt Republic Army (Армия Республики Абт) is the ground force component of the ARDF and is the largest branch of the armed forces. Albeit small compared to its immediate neighbousr, the ARA is none the less a perfectly well trained and highely technologically advanced force, fully mechanized and capable of offensive and defensive action.
The ARA is organised into the following Combat Units:
- Five Ground Assault Brigades (Сухопутные Ударные Бригады), each incorporating one armoured battalion, three to four mechanized infantry battalions, with additional support and logistics troops. Of these brigades, four are active duty and one is reserve.
- Seven Infantry Brigades (Пехотные Бригады), each incorporating two to three mechanized infantry battalions, three to five infantry battalions, with additional support and logistics troops. Of these, five are active duty and two are reserve.
- Two Air Assault Brigades (Воздушные Ударные Бригады), each incorporating three to four air assault parachutist battalions, two air transport squadrons. One brigade is active duty, the other reserve.
- Army Aviation Corps (Корпус Армейской Авиации) , incorporating strike and transport low-to-medium altitude aircraft.
Additionally, a number of logistics and support units exist within the ARA’s hierarchy, without being incorporated into one of the Combat Units.
Currently, with the influx of immigrants and an increasing number of volunteers, the ARA is setting up plans for a reorganization of the existing structure, expansion of the armoured units, creation of divisions (through beefing the brigades or joining them together).
The Abt Republic Navy (Флот Республики Абт) is the maritime component of the ARDF. It is a rather small force, with the capacity to defend the Republic's territorial waters, but not enough ressources to do much power projection elsewhere.
Abt Republic Air Force
The Abt Republic Air Force (Воздушные Силы Республики Абт) is also a rather small branch that is charged with protecting the Republican airspace from foreign intrusion, operating ground based anti-air complexes, supporting the other branches of the ARDF in their operations.
People’s Militia
The People’s Militia (Народное Ополчение) is the most numerous and also the less organised of all four branches. Historically created by local settlers to defend their settlements against the Sons of the Reformation, with the defeat and rooting out of the terrorist organization, the People’s Militia was reorganized into a rapid mobilization force to assist the ARA in case of need.
Placed under the command of the ARDF, the People’s Militia is subdivided into regions, districts and municipalities. Personnel undergo military training in a variety of fields and then are called in for several weeks of rehearsal training every year over a period of roughly ten years. All in all, Militia service accounts for 300 to 600 days, depending on rank and duties. Additionally, each Militiaman has to undergo at least one session of target practice per year outside of his service weeks.
Service is voluntary, but many Abtian men consider it a moral duty to enlist with the Militia (or they are simply attracted by the discount on income tax granted to Militiamen). The desire to serve in the Militia among the Abtian female population is by far lesser than amongst the male population.
Once signed up, a Militiaman is obligated to finish his service (except for liberation circumstances) and may face legal consequences if he does not present himself for duty. Militiamen may keep their equipment at home (even if those who have an Army armoury nearby keep it there to avoid doing manteinance themselves). It is expected that the larger part of the People’s Militia can be mobilized and ready for duty within two to three hours following call-up.
