Graznava

The Graznava People's Republic (GPR, ; Гразнава Народная Рэспубліка tr. Hraznava Narodnaja Respublika, HNR) is a People's Republic in Eastern Artemia which formed after the ratification of the Graznava-Rovsnoska Ceasefire of 1998. It shares a northern border with Yarova, a western border with Gardarike, and a southern border with Rovsnoska. It has a surface area of 33,712 square kilometers. The capital city is Apazov, and the largest city is Chernoblinsk which houses over slightly over 1,000,000 inhabitants.

The Graznava People's Republic was formed after the dissolution of the United Provinces of Rovsnoska and Zaporizhia, where the culturally separate Kryzhelovski people feared prosecution by Rovsnoskan officials. Amidst the chaos of the Rovski-Zaporizhian Separation, the People's Liberation Movement of Graznava and Astran formed and began to occupy military outposts and government buildings. A constitution was adopted and the fledgling movement declared independence as the Graznava People's Republic and Astran People's Republic. The organizations engaged UPRZ forces, although not actively, through 1997. In 1998, following the complete collapse of the UPRZ, the two republics merged into one to combat the rising Rovsnoskan threat. A continuation of the conflict emerged between Yarovan-backed Graznava forces and Rovsnoska forces into February, where a ceasefire was brokered after substantial losses on both sides.

Since the ratification of the Graznava-Rovsnoska Ceasefire, Graznava has been plagued by border conflicts and political infighting. Following a successful coup in 2002, the Communist Party of Graznava was disposed of by more liberal rebels. The new government was led by the Free Graznava Party, which was largely center-left. The economy was moved from state-owned to market socialist and a large part of the state-owned industry was sold to foreign investors. However, certain critical industries remain in the hands of the government. Despite the political turmoil in the region, Graznava has had free elections since 2004 and has become the largest exporter of Potash in Eastern Artemia.

Geography and Climate
Sitting upon rolling plains and vast forests, Graznava is situated in the Central Kryzhelovschina Steppe. The area is classified by rolling hills and fertile black soil, making it ideal for agrarian societies. The region is also home to swamps and marshes in natural depressions during the wet seasons, leaving some areas to be impassable during spring and fall. About 40% of the country is covered in forests. The highest point in the country is 1,261ft above sea level, with the lowest being 278ft above sea level. It shares a heavily militarized border with Rovsnoska in the south, with a relatively open border with Yarova to the north.

The climate is roughly continental, with mild winters averaging -6°C (21°F) and warm summers averaging 22°C (72°F). It receives an average rainfall of 600mm (23in) to 750mm (29in) annually. Natural resources are relatively scarce, however, substantial peat, potash, and coal deposits dot the countryside.

Politics
The Graznavan government is served by two branches, those being the People's Soviet and the Council of People's Commissars.

The People's Soviet is a body of 100 publicly elected individuals represented by a political party. The party with the most seats in the People's Soviet becomes the ruling party of Graznava, and is eligible to elect one of their own to become the Chairman of the People's Soviet. At any time, the Chairman of the People's Soviet may be ousted by their own party should they be spilled. Elections for seats within the People's Soviet open once every four years. Currently, no term limit exists for those elected to the People's Soviet; they are bound until either voted out, retirement, or death. The Chairman of the People's Soviet serves as a representative for the Soviet to the General Secretary.

The Council of People's Commissars, or otherwise known as The Council, effectively serves as the government. It seats a minister from each department of the government, each representing their particular department. The Council of People's Commissars determines policies ranging from economic to defense, and vote on such. Policies formed by the General Secretary pass through the Council for approval, and if accepted, are then passed to the People's Soviet.

While outwardly progressive, a ban is still maintained on homosexuality and LGBT protests are typically met with a heavy police response. Graznavan officials have been accused of blending church and state, as large subsidies were given to the Kryzhelovski Exarchate Church to construct a new cathedral in Apazov. These policies have garnered some attention, with some stating that the ban on LGBT rights is "absurd, backwards, and downright unbelievable."

The government was changed from a One-Party Military Communist state to a Parliamentary People's Republic on September 17th, 2002 after a successful coup wherein only two armed guards were killed. The Communist Party of Graznava was successfully deposed of by the Free Graznava Party, which greatly liberalized the country. Allegations have been made since regarding Yarovan intervention, however, no substantial evidence has ever been found to connect the coup with Yarovan conspirators. Since, the government has labeled itself as Democratic Socialist, and the Free Graznava Party has remained in control with 61% of the popular vote since 2004.

Foreign Affairs
Graznava shares relatively free and open borders with it's neighbor, Yarova. The crossing accounts for nearly 85% of traffic along Graznava's borders. Due to bilateral agreements, Graznava and Yarova are binded in a number of economic and reconstruction pacts. Despite this, issues still arise regarding North Kryzhelovschina and it's ownership. These disputes happen infrequently, though, are a sensitive topic within both countries.

In the West, the border crossings with Gardarike are largely kept in order, with passports and cargo being routinely examined. While not hostile, the two nations largely leave each other to go about their business freely. A number of Graznavan vendors have opted to sell goods within Gardarike borders without prosecution, although, tickets have been issued for vending without a license.



The border shared with Rovsnoska remains in constant turmoil. Both sides retain claims on one another, leading to frequent military patrols and border incidents. Numerous skirmishes have occurred since 1998, causing an estimated 200 fatalities. Several terrorist attacks have partially proven to have been committed by Rovsnoskan forces or backed insurgencies, including the death of Chairman of the People's Soviet, Krymov Svyatoslavovich in 2008 and a 2014 attempt to kill then-General Secretary Yunkin Borisovich. Numerous attempts have been made by Graznavan officials to prosecute Rovsnoskan military officials for perceived war crimes during the civil war to no avail.

Armed Forces
The Armed Forces of the Graznava People's Republic is a small, yet professional military force. It numbers, on average, around 41,000 active uniformed personnel. It encompasses four branches; the Graznavan Ground Forces, the Air Defense Forces, and the Internal Troops.

Ground Forces
The Ground Forces are the largest uniformed branch of the Armed Forces, numbering close to 20,000 with 6,000 reserve personnel. As of 2018, the forces were comprised of the 106th Mechanized Independent Guards Brigade, 111th Mechanized Guards Brigade, the 41st and 97th Mobile Brigades (organized as light infantry regiments), and the 9th Special Tasking Brigade. It also utilizes five artillery brigades and four regiments, four SAM brigades, two brigades and a regiment of engineers, two signal brigades, the 406th NBC Containment Brigade, and the 71st NBC Containment regiment. Formerly it's own branch, the Armored Corps was folded under the Ground Forces in 2005. It is comprised of an estimated 450 tanks and 575 APC/IFVs spread across four armored divisions. These, however, operate at a limited capacity. Many armored vehicles have been mothballed due to a lack of parts and crewmen.

Air Defense Forces
The Air Defense Forces of the Graznava People's Republic (ADF) is the airborne contingent of the Armed Forces. It largely deals mostly in logistical matters and reconnaissance, however, maintains a sizable attack aircraft fleet. The ADF fields five air wings, numbering about 144 aircraft and 80 rotary wing craft. It is split largely between two airbases, Pavlovo Aerodrome and Beleksa Airbase. The 276th Independent Air Assault Wing and 113th Fighter Wing operate from Pavlovo, with the 310th Guards Independent Air Assault Wing, 255th Logistical Support Wing, and 127th Fighter Wing operate from Beleksa. The branch numbers around 13,000 active and 2,500 reserve personnel, most of which being aircraft maintainers and mechanics. Many aircraft have been mothballed due to the cost of operation, however, many cargo and reconnaissance aircraft are maintained and utilized for demonstrations and limited operations.

Internal Troops
The Internal Troops are a holdover from the UPRZ Ministry of the Interior, which used the forces to patrol the region before it's dissolution. The Interior Troops were re-purposed largely from UPRZ deserters to maintain watch on seedier regions and quell uprisings. While they serve as counter-insurgency forces, they typically patrol and maintain the borders in conjunction with the Auxiliary Corps while also assisting in police activity in regions without organized militsiyas. The Internal Troops typically number close to 8,000 active personnel, however, reserves can at times boost this number to close to 12,000 if needs be.

Economy
The economy of Graznava is best described as an export driven system, as the state still owns sects of heavy industry, energy, and infrastructure. However, the market is still largely determined by the price of goods as set by the consumer, not the state. Due to this, the largely agrarian economy has been able to flourish through exports. However, since the liberalization of economic policies following the coup against the Communist Party of Graznava, Yarovan investors have made the potash industry incredibly lucrative for Graznava. Reportedly promising "a fair bit," of the economy, Graznava is the largest exporter of potash in the region, with it's largest purchaser being Yarova.

A handful of UPRZ factories fell into Graznavan lands post-seperation, with the Ulyanovisk Industrial Complex being the primary factory. The primary production in these factories are steel cable, ball bearings, and basic handtools. The Yurievich Tractor Factory, located within Chernoblinsk, similarly fell into Graznavan territory. Most of the factory was destroyed during an incendiary rocket barrage, but was rebuilt and retooled into the Antonovich Small Arms Production Facility.

Graznava is an observer state in the Pan-Artemian Coalition, and a permanent member of the YZAGA.

Transportation
Transport in Graznava has historically been troublesome, with changes in the seasons rapidly deteriorating paved roads and a general unavailability of passenger vehicles in the region. In recent times, the dissolution of the UZRP provided the region with a large stockpile of surplus four-wheel drive military vehicles which quickly joined the civilian market as alternatives to traditional rear-wheel drive sedans and trucks. Due to this, many registered vehicles in Graznava are of military origin. However, the fledgling domestic automotive industry has began to rise in the past years. Public transport was a large point in the original city planning for Chernoblinsk. UZRP civil engineers specifically designed the city for the use of rail cars and buses, incorporating bus stops into many local municipal buildings and included rails in the primary boulevards. Though the lines were built in the late 1970s, all original rail cars still exist in operational condition and are recognized as moving landmarks. Many bus routes now connect isolated communities together, and have largely become the lifeline for many small outlying hamlets and villages.

Ethnicity
Graznava is largely comprised of Kryzhelovski people, which have historically occupied the region since before the formation of the Confederation of Ljudia. They comprise 72.4% of the population, followed by Yarovan (18.1%), Rovsonski (8.5%), and self-described Other (2.0%). The Kryzhelovski trace their roots back to which began to inhabit the region around 5th century CE.

Religion
A reported 54.6% of the population attend the, and describe themselves as either Yarovan Orthodox or Kryzhelovski Orthodox. 7.1% describe themselves as Peremorovkan Orthodox, while 38.3% describe themselves as non-religious, atheistic, or other.

The Kryzhelovski Exarchate Church has recently come under scrutiny for not recognizing the Svogda Patriarchate Church's decision for LGBT inclusion. Since 2017 there have been a number of demonstrations, however, most are met with a heavy police presence and fail to gather a sizable crowd.

The leader of the Kryzhelovski Exarchate is Metropolitan Shchavlev. The symbol of the Kryzhelovski Exarchate is St. George's Cathedral housed within the White Kremlin in Apazov.

Cuisine
Graznavan cuisine has many similarities with other Slavic cuisines, however, it is still never the less lauded for being simple, filling, and cheap. A distinctly Graznavan dish is, various cuts of pork in a thick gravy with an onion sauce. Formerly a dish for the wealthy, it has since found it's way into the every day food of Graznava, being enjoyed on holidays and special occasions.

Literature
In recent years, Graznava has had a string of moderately successful cult books in the realm of fantasy and science fiction. Graznavan authors are known for extreme attention to detail and worldbuilding, at the cost of lengthier works. Usatov Vadimovich, author of The Tales of the Bogatyr and The Great Void, is one of the most prolific authors in Eastern Artemia, being applauded across the continent for his works.

The most prolific of the novels, The Tales of the Bogatyr, is a 562 page long story following the adventures of three knights enlisted in the service of The Golden Sovereign sent to slay mythical creatures which are being spawned by an evil necromancer. A long awaited sequel is planned for a 2021 release.

Architecture
A staple of Graznavan architecture is the White Fortress in Apazov. It encompasses two cathedrals and a number of government buildings. It was built between 1562 and 1571 by renowned engineer and mathematician Pavlenko Tikhonovich to protect it's inhabitants from roving bands of bandits and highwaymen. It has since become the primary government complex, with services only being held in St. George's Cathedral three times a year for, , and. Most major government activities occur within the walls of the White Kremlin. It houses the Central Committees for Defense, Energy, Infrastructure, and Economic Foresight. It also houses the main assembly building for the Council People's Commissars and the Military Command for the Central District.