Lestykhol National Defense Force

The Lestykhol National Defense Force (LNDF) is the armed forces of Lestykhol. It consists of 5 branches: The Ground Forces, Maritime Forces, Air Forces, Special Forces and Expeditionary Forces. It has actively participated in foreign conflicts since its inception in 1919. In the present day, the forces serve primarily defensive purposes.

1400s to Dnieper
Although the current iteration of the LNDF is fairly recent, Kholak culture has long necessitated a strong military presence. As early as the 1400s, members of Kholak tribes were dedicated to military duties.

Vojiskiy Era
When the Dnieper Confederation was absorbed into the Vojiskiy Empire in 1575, the Kholak Military was reconstituted into the Imperial army. The Empire used Kholaks as heavy cavalry, military leaders and guards of the Emperor. The latter of these roles, known as the "Konvoi," was extremely prestigious as members were trusted to safeguard the Emperor's life. The Kholaks were instrumental in the expansion of the Vojiskiy Empire's borders. The Kholak Cavalry played an integral role in the Dzuynakaz Wars. These wars took a drastic toll on the morale and public opinion of the Kholaks, which over the decades would lead to Kholaks vying for independence.

War of Independence and Grand Campaigns
During the Grand Campaigns, the Vojiskiy Empire fought on the side of the Crown Alliance against the Republicans. Ushered by orators like Rovsninskiy Volkachev and Vasily Katyushin, the Kholaks rose against the Imperials, condensed in the northern part of the country. In October of 1919, the Republic of Lestykhol declared its independence. In order to combat the invading Imperial forces, conscription notices were sent out, and by the end of October, the Lestykhol National Defense Force had an army to defend the new republic. The army began a brutal guerilla campaign in Lestykhol's southern forests. The defenses consisted of long chains of fortified towns that were supported by cavalry and additional infantry who would counter-attack. The results were devastating to the already weakened and demoralized Imperial troops. Important battles at Brezhnegrad, Kholdnareka and Belaya were won by the Kholaks, who would drive back the Yarovans as they froze in droves. By the spring of 1920, the country's independence was secured.



Vojiskiy War
During the Vojiskiy War, Lestykhol sent volunteers to assist the Republican Front against the Empire. Kholaks participated in most of the major battles, and were some of the first forces to breach the Imperial Palace. Although relations started positively with the Republican government, they refused to acknowledge promises that they made to Lestykhol, causing the already negative opinion of Yarovans to deteriorate further.

Great Kesh War
The Lestykhol National Expeditionary Force was formed in 1947 for the express purpose of allowing Lestykhol to project its influence abroad, and to act as an auxiliary force to foreign armies. Their mettle was tested during the Great Kesh War. A force of ten thousand troops was sent to Kesh where they landed in Guurdalai and were ferried to Alvakalia. In Alvakalia, they joined the Alvak Heer against Kodeshia. The bulk of the force was sent to the West, however, where they engaged in counter-insurgent operations against the Mihrani League and Maderistan People's Army. The Kesh War was also a symbolic conflict for the Kholaks. They saw it as a spiritual and political struggle against the Muslim and Communist armies, which boosted morale. However, the rough desert environments of Kesh proved difficult for Kholak troops to adapt. Many soldiers were afflicted with conditions like heatstroke and dysentery.



Western Front
The Western Front was where the LNEF saw most of its action.

Eastern Front
Although the fighting on the Eastern Front was brief compared to the West, it was arguably just as intense. The Kholak units fought alongside the Alvak Heer against Kodeshia, These units were re-equipped with Alvak uniforms and weaponry in order to promote cohesion and prevent friendly fire incidents.

Secularist Revolt
On June 6th, 1966, a group of radical militant activists colloquially known as the Secularists caused an insurrection throughout the country with the largest stronghold being the industrial city of Belaya. The revolutionaries, who sought to limit the Svogda Patriarchate's influence in the government. They siezed key locations like rail stations, barracks, police headquarters, city halls and other important buildings within several weeks. A state of emergency was declared in the district, and an immediate counter-attack was put into action. A large force of LNGF troops, assisted by Ostkorps soldiers from Alvakalia, was sent to subdue the revolutionaries. The combat quickly devolved into brutal urban and guerilla warfare that eventually resulted in the rebellion collapsing. Combat ceased on November 14th when the last rebels in Belaya surrendered.



Rovski-Zaporizhian Separation


In 1995, the situation in the United Provinces of Rovsnoska and Zaporizhia escalated to an all-out brawl. The Rovsnoski military sent a call to the Ataman, Yulian Antonovich, for support in the conflict. After some deliberation, it was agreed that the Lestykhol National Maritime Force was deployed to the Zaporizhian coast to distract the Zaporizhian fleet and engage in coastal bombardment. Although the Kholak fleet suffered heavy casualties, they succeeded in their objective of preventing the Zaporizhian fleet from sailing inland and bombarding the Rovsnoski capital.

Yaro-Aukalnian War
The most recent military action of the LNDF occurred in XX April 2020, when Ataman Simonenko submitted a formal declaration of war against the Republic of Aukalnia and Sartland. Currently, forces are laying siege to the capital city of Azytenai, alongside the Yarovan military.

Organization
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Command Structure
The Ataman is the commander-in-chief of the Lestykhol National Defense Force. The Chair of the Department of Security acts as the minister of the Force. The head of each branch is an officer with the respective branch's highest rank. The senior officers of each branch are as follows: Field Marshal for the Ground Forces, Air Marshal for the Air Forces, Theater Marshal for the Expeditionary Forces, Fleet Marshal for the Maritime Force, and Special Marshal for the Special Forces.

Doctrine
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Branches
The Lestykhol National Defense Forces are divided into five branches.

Ground Forces
The Ground Forces are tasked with land combat duties. The largest section of the Ground Forces is the Infantry, with X active troops at the start of 2020. The Ground Forces also houses the Armored, Motorized, Field Artillery, Engineer and Medical Corps among others. The Ground Forces is the largest of the five branches.



Maritime Forces
The Maritime Forces serve as the naval fighting force for Lestykhol. The navy consist of XX ships, and in recent years has been considered a green-water navy. The role of this fleet is to protect the littoral zone of Lestykhol. The Coastal Artillery Corps and River Flotilla also fall under the jurisdiction of the Maritime Force.

Air Forces
The Air Forces are tasked with air combat. The Aerial Reconnaissance Corps and the Paratrooper Corps are also housed within the Air Forces. The Air Forces operate a fleet of XX aircraft, including XX Helicopters.



Special Forces
The Special Forces are the most elite of Lestykhol's fighting forces. They are the smallest branch, but they are also the most well-equipped and highly-trained. The Special Forces are the most revered units in Lestykhol, being able to deploy anywhere needed with great efficiency. They have been sent to conduct covert operations in foreign countries, however their endeavors remain classified.



Expeditionary Force
The Expeditionary Force is the combined-arms branch of the Defense Force. They are composed of units from other branches, but strictly serve abroad. Unlike other branches, Expeditionary Force members are occasionally equipped with uniforms and equipment of allied nations when on deployment. The most famous deployment of the Expeditionary Force was during the Kesh War. During this conflict, troops that fought in Alvakalia were given Alvak uniforms and weaponry.

Equipment
Lestykhol has a wide variety of equipment, both domestic and foreign. During the War of Independence and the Vojiskiy War, most of the equipment was borrowed from the Vojiskiy Empire. It is important to note that almost all foreign-made equipment is copied and produced on a smaller scale in Lestykhol in order to bolster stockpiles.

Infantry Equipment
Although battle dress uniforms are the standard uniforms, the is the traditional ceremonial dress uniform.

Infantry Fighting Vehicles
IFVs serve as support vehicles to Armored Personnel Carriers and tanks.

Armored Personnel Carriers
Armored Personnel carriers are an integral part of the land doctrine. They carry troops to the front lines and are a large component of counter-attacks.

Tanks
Tanks have been a part of Lestykhol's armory since the mid-1930s. Today, they are deployed as spearheads to Ground Forces counter-attacks.