Klara Savinkova

Lieutenant General Klara Savinkova
Клара Савинкова
Secretary of State for Defence
Incumbent
Assumed office 19 November 2021 (2021-11-19)
President	Oswald Mosley
Prime Minister	Mekhar A. Karlsson
Preceded by	Pablo Badoglio
Personal details
Born	Klara Pavlovna Savinkova (1984-12-03) 3 December 1984 Karsnomirsk
Political party	Independent
Children	Natalia
Military service
Nickname(s)	The Artillery Devil, Princess from Taiga (Принцесса из тайги)
Allegiance	Eulabian Union (2002–2008) Commonwealth of Eulabia (since 2008)
Branch/service	Eulabian Army
Years of service	2002–present
Rank	Lieutenant General
Battles/wars	Eulabian Civil War Battle of Konstanse Siege of Syracuse

Klara Pavlovna Savinkova (Krasnomirskian: Клара Павловна Савинкова, born 3 December 1984) is a Eulabian military officer and politician, currently serving as the Secretary of State for Defence since November 2021. Initially an officer in the Eulabian Army, Savinkova rose to prominence during the Eulabian Civil War where her brutal but effective contribution earned her the moniker "The Artillery Devil".

Early life and education

Savinkova was born on 3 December 1984 in eastern Krasnomirsk to Yulia Savinkova, who worked at a local shoe factory. In 1996, seeking a better future, Savinkova and her mother emigrated to Eulabia.

According to Krasnomirskian sources Savinkova was actually born as Klara Mikoyanova in 1986, and is the daughter of Nikolai Mikoyanov, a prominent KGB agent from Rostovia. Mikoyanov allegedly significantly influenced Savinkova's upbringing, introducing her to military concepts and personally guiding her early education in the field. These allegations have been consistently denied by Savinkova and official Eulabian channels, which call them politically motivated slanders.

From a young age, Savinkova exhibited a profound interest in military history and tactics, an interest that was nurtured by her studies in Eulabia. This passion for military strategy was complemented by her academic excellence, culminating in her graduation from military school in 2001 with a gold medal. In 2002 Savinkova was admitted to the [Eulabian Military Academy] for officer training.

Military career

Upon graduating from the Eulabian Military Academy in 2005, Savinkova was initially assigned to the Strategic Artillery Corps, where she specialised in advanced artillery tactics. Her early career was distinguished by her adept use of technology in enhancing artillery precision, which quickly garnered attention from her superiors.

Eulabian Civil War and rise to prominence

Savinkova's military prowess became evident during the early stages of the Eulabian Civil War. In 2008, as a junior officer, she led an artillery battalion during the Battle of Konstanse. Her unconventional use of artillery, supplemented by advanced reconnaissance technologies, was instrumental in halting the separatist forces' advance toward crucial industrial area in the Konstanse suburbs. This battle demonstrated her capability to blend traditional military tactics with modern technological advancements, setting a new standard in warfare strategy within the Eulabian military.

By early 2009, Savinkova had been promoted to Colonel and took command of the 5th Independent Artillery Brigade. Under her leadership, the brigade played a decisive role in the Siege of Syracuse, employing a relentless bombardment strategy that was both effective and controversial. The siege significantly weakened the separatist movement and helped Eulabia end the civil war that would have otherwise lasted for months. During the siege, she stated:

If you are not winning with artillery you are simply not using enough of it.

During this operation, Savinkova earned the moniker "Artillery Devil" from a Nifonese journalist, highlighting her fearsome reputation. However, it was the events following the siege that would mark the most controversial chapter of her career.

War crimes accusation and military trial

Following the successful negotiation of a ceasefire agreement with the separatist forces, which would have allowed for their safe passage out of Syracuse, Savinkova allegedly made a contentious decision to disobey orders. She justified her actions with a stark proclamation about the nature of treason and punishment:

Did they lose their f****** minds? Do they really think that traitors can escape justice and hide in the mountains to continue their guerrilla?! Screw them! The only punishment for treason is death. Those who betray their country and comrades have no place in this world.

Under her directive, the 5th Brigade launched an artillery strike on the departing separatist convoy, resulting in heavy casualties among the separatists and their families. Additionally, survivors who attempted to flee the scene encountered a minefield, leading to further loss of life.

This action led to Savinkova's immediate suspension and a highly publicised series of military trials. She faced serious charges related to the unauthorised continuation of hostilities and for the resultant civilian casualties. The first trial scrutinised the legality of her bombardment during the siege, where she was acquitted. The court recognised her actions as being within the boundaries of military conduct, albeit severe, and crucial in effectively ending the civil war. The subsequent trial focused on her disobedience of the ceasefire orders. Although initially planning the strike, she purportedly rescinded her command, a move that was either ignored or miscommunicated to her subordinates. She was ultimately found not guilty.

Post-war career and political ascent

Following her distinguished service in the Eulabian Civil War, Klara Savinkova transitioned to various roles within the General Staff, where she saw substantial career advancement. As one of the few high-ranking female officers, Savinkova became a public symbol of progress for gender equality within the military. Her efforts inspired significant policy changes aimed at improving the recruitment and retention of women in the armed forces.

In 2021, as the selection process for a new leader of the Ministry of Defence commenced, Prime Minister Mekhar Asul Karlsson publicly expressed his desire for “a young and innovative leader” to head the department. While Karlsson did not have the final say, his preference for Savinkova was clear. Savinkova’s forward-thinking vision made her a favoured candidate in the eyes of the Prime Minister.

However, her nomination was far from uncontested and sparked internal controversies within the General Staff. The discord stemmed not only from her ambitious modernisation policies but also from her past military decisions, which some conservative factions within the military viewed with skepticism. Despite these challenges, Savinkova’s nomination was ultimately confirmed.

Klara Savinkova was officially sworn in with Karlsson’s new government on 19 November 2021 and was promoted to Lieutenant General.

Defence Secretary (2021–present)

In November 2021, Klara Savinkova was appointed Secretary of State for Defence, becoming the first woman to hold this position within the Ministry of Defence. Her tenure quickly became notable for its ambition to radically modernise the Eulabian military, which led to significant contention. Savinkova's strategies, particularly her push to implement what she called a "recce-strike" aimed at enhancing rapid offensive capabilities while potentially compromising traditional defence mechanisms, sparked debate and resistance within military ranks.

In 2023, her approach led to a significant confrontation and jurisdictional dispute with her superior, Christopher Fairfax, the Commander-in-Chief of the Eulabian Armed Forces. Fairfax publicly criticised Savinkova’s policies, labeling her as "the Terror of the Army" and disparaging her modernisation plan as "a glass cannon strategy unparalleled in the military." He argued that her focus on advanced weaponry and quick-strike capabilities neglected the foundational aspects of military resilience and troop welfare, potentially leaving the army vulnerable in prolonged engagements.

Fairfax's disapproval culminated in a formal demand for her dismissal, positioning the dispute as not only a clash of military philosophy but also a significant political conflict within the Ministry of Defence. However, the onset of the Solaris War in late 2023 prompted Savinkova to reassess her strategy. Faced with the demands of a protracted conflict and the necessity to maintain high army cohesion, she conceded to the pressures from military and political leaders, marking the end of the dispute.

Personal life

WIP