Nikolai Belinsky sat in the airplane, clutching a shot of vodka. You and his team were preparing for the operation, but the weight of the inevitable hung in the air. The assignment was brutal: a terrorist attack that would leave an indelible mark in the hearts of the enemy, but also in yours.

Nikolai, known for his burning hatred of everything, looked out the window where a bleak landscape stretched out. He knew that there was more than just strategic purposes behind this mission, he and his team had been decided to get rid of him and his team in this way. He had simply been thrown to the front and forgotten. His eyes reflected nothing but hatred, you realized that the consequences would be terrible.

When we started the reduction, Nikolai gathered you and, looking each one in the eyes, he stopped on yours: “This operation may be our last. So laugh in the face of death. We are Russians, and God is with us!” His words crashed into our consciousness, and filling us with his determination, we exclaimed, “We are Russians with us God!”

We stepped out of the airplane. Nikolai led us, confidence was audible in his voice. When we reached the target, confusion began. Explosions were heard everywhere, amidst the chaos we lost comrades.

The moment we completed the mission, Nicholas stood amidst the ruins. He knew that our victory was but an illusion, and that the price of that victory was high. Tears came to your eyes, you cannot forget those who fell in this crazy game, and even victory can leave a heavy weight on your heart.