- Doomsday - Volume One: Gods and Monsters

Chapter 2: The 'Omnic Crisis'

— Excerpt from a modern historical novel by a Russian author reflecting upon Russia's perspective during the 'Omnic Crisis'. Not One Step Back! Russia's War Against the Omnics (Maksim Kamarov, 2060)

"Russia's position against the 'Omnics' is incredibly important to understand when trying to analyse the broader conflict concerning the Omnic Crisis. Not only was Russia the first nation to fight the Omnic hordes, it was also the first to beat back machines, with little to no help from outside governing bodies, be it the United Nations or their personal private militia, the Overwatch Strike Team. When the Crisis started in 2044, the Russian military was still mostly men with basic fire-arms, their enemy would be ten-feet-tall walking tanks, their great ability to rapidly analyse and understand independently, adapting to combat situations with frustrating efficiency. Again, it must be re-stated, the Russian military was on the frontline against the Omnic threat, having had to face an unknown enemy, their vast capabilities still relatively unknown, entirely new military doctrine was needed, different from anything in modern military history. Able to hold the line for a couple of years, the Russians quickly rebounded in kind with their own machinery, introducing their own mechanical beast, the Svyatogor."

"It is commonly stated how ironic it is that in order for Russia (and to a greater extent, humanity) to be able to combat and eventually defeat the Omnic threat, humanity would need further machinery and technology. Now this statement may seem paradoxical and at first, many agreed, the idea to institute some form of mechanical fighting suits into a war against other robotic combat units was laughed at at first, however, Volskaya Industries strode forward despite the criticism and proved their worth. Volskaya Industries is an interesting case, a company that evolved through the development of arms for the Russian war effort, before eventually having moved towards research and development of advanced weaponry. Eventually, some engineers pushed forwards with plans, designs for a combat mech, with no independent AI systems, piloted by a human soldier. The idea to have a human soldier pilot these mechs definitely added some sense of security and safety to anxious voices, cautious to institute another form of Omnic onto the battlefield. These mechs would be crucial to the Russian war effort. It was ever so effective to Russian propaganda that the Svyatogor, or in Kievan Rus' mythology, the Bogatyr, otherwise known as hero, would be their shining knight, saving the Russian nation from collapse..."

"A famous historian once stated that: "Russia was one of the countries hit hardest by the Omnic Crisis, but during the rebuilding process, it rode the wave of mechanised labour and industrial revitalisation, quickly falling back into a period of rapid growth." Russia fought a war by themselves with little help from the outside world, and the innovation seen by companies, such as Volskaya Industries (who funnily enough transitioned towards the construction of auto-mobiles after the end of the Omnic Crisis) and their incredibly influential mechanical knights."

"Russia now two decades on after the Omnic Crisis has entered a new stage of industrialization and economic excitement, having been fighting against the Omnics for the longest, the Russian economy was able to adapt faster and more efficiently to the economic woes that plagued the planet during the great crisis. Furthermore, the cultural impact on Russian society must be stated. Before the Omnic Crisis, Russia was considered a fallen great power, merely a large regional giant with a somewhat obsolete military. However, the effect of the great struggle is that it bolstered Russian morale and gave the Russian people a sense of purpose and national pride, that they, without the help of any outside power, was able to successfully fend off the Omnic menace."

"It should also be stated the position of women and young people in this post-Omnic Crisis world. The most obvious example would have to be one of the most influential Russians of the twenty-first century, Katya Volskaya, known to many Russians as; "the hero of her people", "the defender against the Omnics", and "the most powerful woman in Russia". Katya Volskaya is an idol of Russian culture, directing the helm during the construction of the Svyatogor, and boldly pushed for the eradication of the Omnic threat. Today, Katya is seen as embodying Russian resolve against the machines and will most certainly go down as one of the most influential Russians of all time."