Svobodnaya Rossiya

Svobodnaya Rossiya (also Free Russia) is a Communist nation of the Soviet Union on the Baltic Coast, founded in September of 2008.

History
The state was founded 27 September 2008 on the guiding principles of the former Soviet Union with an emphasis on respect for personal beliefs and civil rights, as well as reforms on the failed principles of Soviet communism.

Ivan I. Komarov, author of the State Constitution, has held the office of Commissar since its conception. The General Council and its subordinates (see Government) first convened, Cmsr. Komarov presiding, on 6 October 2008 in the capital city of Kaliningrad. On 11 October, the Red Army was commissioned and placed under command of the Office of the Commissar.

The state grew rapidly for the first months of its creation, outpacing the ability of the Civil Office to keep up with infrastructure; therefore, until recently, the population density has remained fairly low, in most areas outside of the capital somewhere below 8 persons per square kilometer. Coupled with rapid advances in technology, the sparse population has led to a high standard of living and a strong economy.

In August of 2009, airborne and land-based infantry and tanks entered Svobodnaya Rossiya's boundary, sparked by a military takeover attempt in a nearby nation. The incursion was repelled by the 8th Red Army Division and 2nd Red Army Air Force pilots, suffering 58 casualties. The hostile army was pushed 15 kilometers into their own territory before the government there regained control and signed a ceasefire which also ceded approximately 10 kilometers of land to Svobodnaya Rossiya. The conflict was named "The Night War" and was responsible for the star added to the national colors, battle flags and naval ensigns.

Geography, climate, and environment
The state is situated around the capital city of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Coast, enjoying ice-free ports year round and a generally pleasant climate to accomodate grains, tubers and livestock farming. The moderated climate provides fair amounts of rain yearly, as well as steady low-speed winds and occasional severe fog.

The coastal land is generally low-lying and hilly, rising into steppe-like plains further inland; there are large expanses of unpopulated forest to the southeast. The environment is clean and mostly pollution-free, as technology has provided sound methods of mass transportation and industrial waste disposal.

Government
The Soviet Socialist Republic of Svobodnaya Rossiya is ruled by a government classified as communist.

Affairs foreign and abroad are subordinate to the Office of Military and State Affairs, consisting of the Office of the Commissar and the General Council. The General Council is superior to and appoints members of the offices of the Civil, Judicial, and Interior. The General Council's 150 are directly elected by the citizens every 2 years in a run-off system (any candidate having the most votes but not necessarily a majority must run against their closest competitor) per district.

The Civil Office maintains and operates state property, including roads, schools, railways, airports, and general infrastructure. The Judicial Office operates all courts civil and criminal. The Interior Office maintains services necessary to the internal function of the state: police, fire and emergency services, in addition to environmental services added in June 2009.

The General Staff of the Red Army are subordinate and a part of the Office of the Commissar.

Foreign relations and military
Svobodnaya Rossiya is the most senior state of the Soviet Union, having been the first and founding member state as of 8 October 2008. Under request from other member states, particularly Decronia, an official pledge of support, effective immediately, was signed by the General Council and submitted to the alliance on 21 October 2009.

Several ongoing trade agreements exchanging exports of pigs and clean water for lead, gems, marble, rubber, sugar, and wine provide both civilian and military supplies, further aiding standards of living and national security.

The national military consists of approximate 4,000 regulars across the Red Army and Red Army Air Force, and comprises approximately 18 percent of the Soviet Union's military might. Both branches are governed directly by the General Staff of the Red Army, under General Marshal K.D. Rychenko and General Marshal G.A. Lazutkin respectively. A small naval detachment under construction and marines are currently under the command of the Red Army until provisions for new branches are approved by the General Council.

The ongoing development of nuclear weapons is under the management of the Red Army Engineering Sector.

Economy
The state of the economy is governed by the General Council's Committee on Economic Affairs, which manages the exchange rate, the printing of currency, and economic quotas. The public may purchase "stock" in government-run industries, the largest of which are Farm Bureau Collective, which supplies and buys from individually-owned farms, Auto-Bloc, which manufactures civilian and government vehicles, and Spartak Arms and Equipment Manufacturers.

The people have financial freedom, meaning there is currency that can be spent in privately-owned stores; however, products and services are subject to regulations and the possibility of government control in times of war or economic uncertainty. Some products may be in limited quantities due to governmental requirements.

The average person is subject to approximately 25% tax on income, although state-run health and welfare services are available to the infirm, elderly or otherwise unable to afford services. The high tax rate is somewhat balanced out by the high-tech job market, which provides services and manufacturing for other nations at a relatively strong profit margin; therefore, spending is high and the economy is generally booming.

Culture
Svobodnaya Rossiya has several state-owned television and radio networks, which broadcast news, sports, entertainment, and general television including comedies, dramas and educational programming. The Soyuz Gazeta, the national Russian-language newspaper, has been running since January of 2009, and includes politics, business, entertainment and educational articles, in addition to serialized stories, cartoons and editorials.

Two football teams, FC Soyuz and FC Kaliningrad, have recently gained recognition in international leagues and are now eligible for continental and international competitions in the 2010 season. Other sports and recreational activities include hiking, ultimate Frisbee, hockey, and gymnastics. These sports have not yet sent athletes to the Olympic Games.

The most prevalent of religions is Judaism, followed by atheism, Christianity, and various pagan faiths. The most common background is Russian, followed by German, Polish, Baltic, Scandinavian, and Swiss.