The Russian Deception

CHAPTER 24

"Look at this, Steph."

A live satellite feed over Western Russia and the border with Eastern Europe filled Elizabeth's wall monitor. Stephanie pulled up a chair beside her. On screen, long lines of covered trucks clogged Russia's major highways.

"Those are heavy troop movements," Stephanie said.

"They've been conducting a major military exercise in the Western region for the past two weeks but it's supposed to be winding down. At least that's what the latest press release from the Kremlin says."

"Somehow that doesn't impress me," Steph said.

"So young and so cynical," Elizabeth said. "You don't believe them?"

"Why should I believe the Russians?"

"They've moved some of their troops back from the border with Ukraine."

"Not all of them. Look at all those tanks and troops holding about ten miles from the border. I wonder where those other troops are going? It looks like several divisions, with logistical support."

"There's a heavy concentration heading toward Belarus, along the northern border of Ukraine. Lots of tanks. I don't like the look of that. How many men do the Russians have west of the Urals?"

"Hang on," Stephanie said. She entered a command on her laptop and scanned the information on the screen.

"That's the Western Military District," she said. "They've got the 1st tank army and the 6th and 20th armies. Those are mostly motorized rifle divisions. There are about one hundred thousand men in the district with full logistical support. About twenty-five thousand of them are Spetsnaz, Special Forces. That's not counting reserves. They're second-tier troops but if you count them in you can add another hundred thousand at least."

"Something doesn't feel right about this," Elizabeth said. "He's got troops deploying all along the northern border of Ukraine. Orlov has to know it's provocative."

"That's probably his intention."

"Provocation?"

"It wouldn't be the first time."

"If all he's doing is rattling sabers he's burning up a lot of rubles and resources to do it."

Elizabeth looked at the screen. Russia's modern highways were concentrated west of the Urals in a complex web with Moscow at the center. The satellite feed showed heavy military traffic moving through and around and out of the city. From the high perspective of the satellite camera, it looked as though someone had kicked over an anthill.

Elizabeth reached for her coffee cup and found it empty.

"Why don't you give Lucas a call and see what he thinks about this?"

Stephanie looked unhappy. "It might be better if you did that."

Elizabeth caught a tense undertone in Stephanie's voice.

"Is something the matter between the two of you?"

"It's just that lately we haven't been talking much without arguing."

"Come on, Steph, tell me what's going on."

"He wants to have another baby."

"And you don't?"

"I don't know. Not after what happened last time."

"But that's not going to happen again."

"You don't know that." Stephanie's voice was flat.

"Oh, Steph. This isn't like you."

"You weren't the one in that car. You weren't the one who lost a baby. So don't tell me that it isn't like me to feel the way I feel."

Stephanie got up and walked out of the room.

Elizabeth watched her go. This is turning into one of those days, she thought.