The Verusan Crisis, also known as the Yuktobania-Verusa War, was a conflict waged between the Union of Yuktobanian Republics and the People's Republic of Verusa. Although the both nations officially declared war on each other in November of 2026, fighting began earlier between their forces in mid-October when Verusan forces aggressively seized the disputed Anitai Islands in the West Pacific.
Prelude
In the early 2020s, Verusan President Ma Zhongsan launched a series of reforms that would allow for political liberalization in the authoritarian country. While the Verusan citizens enjoyed more democratization and the loosening restrictions on media and speech, the hardliners in the ruling Socialist Party were concerned that Ma's reforms were leading the country into chaos. Some hardliners even believed that Ma was a puppet of Yuktobania and Osea, as international relations with these countries were very warm during his tenure.
Due to the rampant terrorism and refugees from Sotoa and the disruption of the global economy from the wars in Usea and southern Osea, the Verusan real estate bubble began to falter. Eventually in October of 2026 it cracked, sparking a economic crisis in Verusa. Shortly after, Ma was suddenly killed onboard his presidential aircraft when it exploded mid-flight. The country was thrown into chaos, and the hardliners seized full control of the government, led by air force general Chang Liu. Believing that Ma was assassinated by foreign agents from Yuktobania, Chang ordered the Verusan People's Army to invade the Anitai Islands.
Battle of the Anitai Islands
The Anitai Islands were controlled by Yuktobania, but were claimed by Verusa as part of their historical territory. Facing very little resistance, the Verusans conquered the islands in less than two days. However news of the invasion quickly came to Cinigrad, and Yuktobania dispatched the Pacific Fleet and the Sokol and Vovk Squadron to engage the invaders.
Yuktobanian forces arrived at the Anitai on October 19. The Sokol Squadron initially conducted a series of ground-attack assaults against the Verusan armoured divisions in the southern part of the islands, while the Vovk Squadron engaged the Su-24s and J-15s patrolling the islands. Later, Sokol Squadron managed to eliminate the Verusan flotilla in the west of the islands, sinking the Verusan aircraft carrier Bohai.
After several days of fighting, the Yukes successfully defeated the Verusan invaders and retaken the Anitai.