Rovski-Zaporizhian Separation

The Rovski-Zaporizhian Separation was a war that divided the United Provinces of Rovsnoska and Zaporizhia into three separate states from 1995-1998. Multiple foreign nations sent aid to sides that would support their strategic advantages, ideological interests, or simply keep their borders secure. Multiple war crimes and mass deportations were committed throughout the war, fascists and Rovsnoski were forced out of Graznava and the UPRZ, while the Rovsnoski held mass deportations and war crimes against Graznavans, Yarovars, Pojans, and various other minorities.

Background
In the late-1970s, the UPRZs oil resources were beginning to decrease at an accelerating rate and, by 1984, exploration and production had virtually ceased. The termination of this industry, which played a central role in the economic output of the United Provinces, had a devastating impact on the state's economy. The failure of the government to prepare for such adversity resulted in a famine and humanitarian crisis in 1993 which, according to some estimates, claimed the lives of over 40,000 Rovsnoski-Zaporizhians. Artyrom Verhenko was a veteran and the leader of an underground Rovsnoski Nationalist movement known as the National Syndicalist Legion which movement began in the early 1970s, but only began massive traction in the early 1980s, and eventually absorbing other Rovsnoski independence movements. The NSL had began killing UPRZ officials and carried out attacks on Yarovars and communists. During a peaceful protest by a separate and less violent independence movement the UPRZ police opened fire, sparking mass outrage. The underfed and under equipped military, fed up with the current system split into two, the fascist majority Rovsnoski northwest, and the communist majority Yarovar southeast, which would continue to use the name UPRZ until the end of the war. Through the systematic killing of political opposition, having high ranking military members, and moving speeches, Viktor Martić and the NSL took control over the Rovsnoski forces.

Hostilities begin
In the first few weeks of the war there was much scattered fighting, and no unified front. Rovsnoski rushed to the west, and Yarovars to the east. This massive displacement and disorder prevented any major military operations. Many isolated conflicts began to occur, with many UPRZ units trying to make their way east. The UPRZ 1st army, which was loyal to the UPRZ, absorbed various other loyal units and began an attack on the F23 Gomel Air Base. The soldiers at the airbase had not made contact with any other Rovsnoski forces, making them weak, disorganised, and unprepared for any attack. The air base was swiftly captured by the UPRZ, but only a few operational aircraft remained due to the Rovsnoski destroying the rest. The capturing of the air base rallied other loyal UPRZ remnants and became a central point for the UPRZ. On May 16 1994 Field Commander Dirkiv Tochinki announced his command over the UPRZ forces, and that the president was dead, solidifying his power. This unified the loyal UPRZ forces, and with this unity they were able to coordinate and encircle the remaining stragglers in the territory under their control. While the Rovsnoski forces were still scattered the UPRZ went on an offensive, capturing a multitude of small towns and cities where they only faced Rovsnoski militias and scattered Rovsnoski units.

Battle of Nikopol
The UPRZs offensive had mainly been against weak small towns and villages until around 14,000 UPRZ 13th and 32nd Corps soldiers began an attack on the city of Nikopol, which had a majority Rovsnoski population of around 184,000 and some 2,000 militiamen and UPRZ deserters. Nikopol also had hand grenade and mine factories. During the attack the Rovsnoski forces sent 6,500 soldiers and 60 tanks of the 14th Motorised Division and supplies to aid the militias defense. After around a week of fighting the UPRZ captured the city On June 17 the Rovsnoski 14th Motorised Division retreated from the city, marking their first major defeat.

Capture of the Barracks
Due to a lack of central command to unify the Rovsnoski forces and tackle the UPRZ offensive the Legionary Guard was formed out of members of the National Syndicalist Legion, 37th Motorized Division, 3rd Infantry Division, and 12th Corps. The Legionary Guard acted as a central command for the Rovsnoski forces and as the elite units. Field Marshal Dymitri Papova was tasked with crushing the remaining loyal UPRZ forces in Rovsnoski-held territory and uniting the scattered Rovsnoski forces under a central command. The Capture of the Barracks was a series of engagements that occurred in mid-to-late 1994 between the Legionary Guard and the police on one side and the UPRZ on another. The battle took place around numerous UPRZ posts in Rovsnoski territory, starting when Rovsnoski forces blockaded the UPRZ-held Natyina Barracks, weapons storage depots and other facilities. It formally began on 14 July; its objective was to neutralise the UPRZ positions in Rovsnoski-held territory and to secure arms and ammunition supplies for the under equipped Legionary Guard. The Natyina Barracks were considered vital for both clearing UPRZ remnants from Rovsnoski territory and obtaining armor and ammunition. The Legionary Guard began the attack by clearing the North Barracks while sending the 3rd Infantry Division to clear the ammo depots in the southern part of the base. The local police in the area were ethnically Rovsnoski, but remained loyal to the UPRZ, attacking the Legionaries from the rear, being quickly overpowered by the Legionaries. After three weeks of fighting the Barracks were captured by the Legionaries, supplying them with 50 Tanks, APCs, munitions, and small arms. Most of the UPRZ fighters and police surrendered, and 213 swore loyalty to Grand Marshal Verhenko bolstering their ranks.

Rovsnoski Offensive
After the their successful capture of the Natyina Barracks the Rovsnoski forces were in an offensive position. On July 20th the UPRZ forces came under attack along the southern region near the city of Pochinki, a vital railway hub and home to a Zaporizhian air base housing multiple valuable Su-27s and Mil Mi-24s. Multiple UPRZ units were redirected to Pochinki to support the local defense force, and all units near the city were all ordered to fall back closer to assist in the defense. The city of Pazin would also be captured by UPRZ forces a few miles north.

Siege of Pochinki Begins
By July 24th around 23,000 Rovsnoski soldiers had taken the surrounding villages, General Želko Rukavina was tasked with taking the city. Deciding a straightforward assault would be a massacre against the heavily fortified city, Rukavina ordered to blockade of the city and shell the city using artillery. Around 34,200 soldiers were defending the city. After defenses weaken and the city begins to crumble, an assault to capture the city would begin. On August 7th a breakthrough was attempted using the 23rd Armored Division and multiple infantry divisions, around 15 of the Armored Division's tanks were lost to mines before they engaged the enemy. By late that afternoon they were in full retreat, with many accounts describing the attack as "clumsy" and "rushed." The heavy presence of snipers, anti-tank weapons, and concealed infantry positions are credited with repelling the attack and the many that would follow. The 27th Artillery Division and 5th Infantry Division would continue to lay waste to the city.

Siege of Pochinki Ends
With a failed defense by the UPRZ

Atrocities and War Crimes
The UPRZ and Zaporizhia were known to execute soldiers suspected of deserting to the Grand Rovsnoski Army on a regular to maintain discipline and prevent desertions, as they had some of the highest desertion rates of the war.