The Armed Forces of Lastauka (Zbroynyya Sily Lastauki)
History, Transition, and Current Relations

The Armed Forces of Lastauka (Zbroynyya Sily Lastauki) were once an integral part of the KSSR (Kestrel Soviet Socialist Republic) and the Kestrel Alliance Pact—an influential military and political bloc that included several allied nations, including Kingfisher. However, following a significant shift in political ideology and priorities, Lastauka made the decisive move to break away from these alliances and adopt a Democratic Approach—a transition that set them on a divergent path from their former allies.

The KSSR & Kestrel Alliance Pact Era
Lastauka’s military was closely aligned with the KSSR and the Kestrel Alliance Pact during a period of Cold War-era alliances, deeply rooted in Marxist-Leninist principles and socialist doctrine. During this time, Lastauka’s military doctrine and defense systems were heavily influenced by the military strategies and technologies of the KSSR, which consisted of Soviet-style armaments, doctrine, and training. Their position within the Kestrel Alliance Pact made them an essential ally of Kingfisher during this time, with cooperative defense systems and shared strategic interests.

Alliance Contributions: Lastauka’s military was heavily involved in joint operations with KSSR forces, notably in regional conflicts and border security, ensuring their dominance over potential adversaries. Their equipment was largely Soviet in origin, and their tactics mirrored the Soviet approach to warfare.
Joint Training & Equipment: Lastauka soldiers trained alongside KSSR personnel, utilizing the same equipment—AK-47s, T-55 tanks, MiG-21s, and other Soviet-era military hardware. Their role within the Kestrel Pact provided Lastauka with ample resources for military modernization and readiness.

The Shift to Democratic Approach: Breaking Away
The turning point for Lastauka came when the leadership within the country began to feel the constraints of their previous alliances, particularly in the context of democratic reforms. Rising political opposition to the heavy-handed socialist governance led to a widespread demand for change—an ideological departure from the KSSR’s rigid control over its satellite nations.

Political Transition: Lastauka’s transition to a Democratic Approach marked the end of their official alliance with the KSSR and the Kestrel Pact. The country sought to move away from authoritarian rule, focusing on a more democratic political system, with a focus on social services, economic reforms, and citizen well-being.
Withdrawal from the KSSR: As part of this shift, Lastauka began to distance itself from the KSSR and its military influence. They opted for a more neutral and non-aligned stance, though they maintained their strong bond with Kingfisher, who had also undergone significant political reform and left the KSSR as well.
Neutral Status in a Changing World: Lastauka’s neutral position in international affairs led to the development of a diversified military, using a mix of older Soviet equipment and new Western systems. The country became an independent actor, choosing its alliances carefully while focusing on internal improvements and strengthening the economy and defense.

Current Relations with KSSR and Sapsan People's Army
Today, Lastauka finds itself at odds with both the KSSR and the Sapsan People’s Federal Republic. This shift in geopolitics has put them on a collision course with their former allies. Both the KSSR and the Sapsan People’s Federal Republic view Lastauka’s decision to abandon their alliances and adopt democratic principles as a betrayal, and tensions have escalated into military confrontations.

Hostile Relations with KSSR: The KSSR considers Lastauka’s shift towards democracy and independence as a betrayal of the socialist cause. Former allies have become bitter enemies, and Lastauka now faces constant border tensions with the KSSR. The KSSR continues to deploy conventional forces along their borders, and Lastauka is frequently involved in small skirmishes with the KSSR border guards.
Hostile Relations with Sapsan People’s Federal Republic: The Sapsan People’s Federal Republic, which has long been hostile to Lastauka’s newfound democratic stance, sees the country as an obstacle to their territorial expansion. Lastauka’s refusal to align with the Sapsan and their involvement in the Kingfisher liberation remain a key element of their foreign policy. The Sapsan People’s Army views Lastauka’s military support for Kingfisher as an affront, and they have launched several military operations against Lastauka’s northern borders.

Current Military and Strategic Objectives
With the growing threat from the KSSR and the Sapsan People’s Federal Republic, Lastauka has adopted a more proactive military stance. Their strategy focuses on asymmetric warfare, defensive fortifications, and urban warfare tactics in anticipation of potential invasions.

Key Strategic Goals of Lastauka’s Armed Forces:
Protecting National Sovereignty: As KSSR forces grow more hostile and the Sapsan People’s Federal Republic expands its influence, Lastauka’s primary focus is on defending its borders and protecting its sovereignty from outside aggression. They have fortified their northern and eastern borders, preparing for potential incursions from both fronts.
Supporting Kingfisher: Lastauka has pledged to continue its support for Kingfisher, maintaining a strong military presence near Kingfisher’s borders and assisting in joint operations. Their involvement in the Kingfisher liberation remains a key element of their foreign policy.
Military Modernization and Defense: In an effort to bolster their capabilities, Lastauka has continued to diversify its military equipment, acquiring both Soviet-era hardware and Western weapons systems, including modern ATGMs, SAMs, and artillery. Their forces are highly trained in urban combat, and counterinsurgency tactics.

The Future of Lastauka:
The Armed Forces of Lastauka continue to modernize and adapt to the evolving geopolitical climate in the Ravenfield Universe. Their commitment to a Democratic Approach, coupled with the alliance with Kingfisher and continued support from the Raven Union, ensures that Lastauka will play a vital role in the regional balance of power, despite being a small nation in a rapidly changing world.

Continued Modernization: The nation plans to continue its military modernization, focusing on acquiring more advanced equipment and improving its cyber and electronic warfare capabilities to better defend against Sapsan and KSSR threats.
Maintaining Neutrality in a Hostile World: As a small, democratic nation, Lastauka’s future will likely depend on maintaining its neutral status while building strong alliances with the Raven Union and others, ensuring that they can navigate the geopolitical landscape without becoming embroiled in larger conflicts.