Game This Week- Modern Spearhead - (Imaginary) Crisis In Kaliningrad

Russian Federation armoured forces mobilize...

We have at times past gamed an imaginary ultra-modern conflict in Poland.  Poor Poland - it just seems geographically placed for these kinds of scenarios.  Thankfully it is all imaginary - at least for now. We have previously used the Cold War Commander engine for those games, but this week we will employ the tried and tested (and much faster) Modern Spearhead rules.

The scenario imagines a crisis brewing in the Russian Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad.  A confrontation has developed between the Polish government and the Russian Federation over the transit of gas. An angry and aggressive Polish administration has responded by blockading and occupying small parts of the Kaliningrad Oblast, with the assistance of the Lithuanians. 

"You will pay what GazProm is asking...seriously...."

The Russian response is forceful - they have moved some elite armoured and airborne formations into the isolated enclave, and are preparing the "push the Poles back", with deadlines announced and a stated intent to use force to "protect their sovereignty". 

NATO representatives meet to discuss the possibility of a meeting to establish an agenda for a framework consultation to evaluate a report on further discussion of a review on the matter of whether the circumstances in Poland constitute a crisis or a non-specific event...

NATO is preparing to assist against Russian aggression, mostly by having meetings about meetings. 

"So, I totally don't need this right now, just so you guys know...."

Distracted and broke, the EU members of NATO (other than Poland and the Baltics) are not keen to be involved.  GazProm is cutting side deals with them to up the ante. Distracted and broke, the US is not that keen to help either, as Polish gas rights hardly seems like something to galvanize US opinion, but it doesn't want to wimp out either.

"Can you believe this whole Polish thing? At least Sarko isn't involved...."

Seeing all this mushiness, the Poles are sticking to their guns, concerned about the cold winter that will be on the way if they do not stand up to what they see as Russian GazProm-gunboat diplomacy...

The Poles are ready with their new NATO kit....

A "limited engagement" is in the making - will it stay limited? Will the Russians give the Poles a shove, or will they receive a bloody nose in the process?  Will the conflict be limited enough to be resolved, or become something that even the jello-spined countries of NATO might actually sort of have to do something about....


It's (ultra) Modern Spearhead! The latest MBTs and IFVs! But will your command be allowed to fight all-out? What does that secret second order to the brigade commander say? Does the brigade actually have that much ammunition anyway, since no countries can afford anything these days? Will the use of air power really be authorized as diplomats scramble to avert a larger war? Will the infamous "Black Eagle" tanks make another appearance? Hope to see you Thursday for some "conflict resolution".