Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Though the Serbian Royal Army, which had repelled Austro-Hungarian forces three times including at the Battle of Cer, requested material support through Romania.

Though they proposed forming a central defense line after Belgrade's fall.

Though they pleaded for Russian forces and command to be sent since German command had entered the Austro-Hungarian camp.

"Constantinople, only Constantinople."

From the empire's Prime Minister, there was no sign of granting their requests.

Though everyone thought the war would end and they'd return home by Christmas, countless veterans across many fronts had to spend this joyous day in trenches.

And around the New Year...

[December 29, 1914. Due to the withdrawal of the embassy in Sofia, we convey the empire's opinion through official correspondence.

The Great Russian Empire and Romanian Kingdom have decided to punish the Ottoman Empire, which has long threatened Europe's peace, but respecting the Bulgarian Kingdom's neutrality.

We request you guarantee passage for allied forces through Dobrich.

Russian Emperor,

Nikolai Alexandrovich Romanov]

I sent a letter to Bulgaria.

As our allied forces head to Constantinople.

Asking to borrow their road.

==

From ancient times, there have been several established methods, almost like formulas, for how the Russian Empire fights the Ottoman Empire.

First is the West Asian direction, advancing south through Georgia.

Often called the 'barren land,' desert mountain terrain spreads out the size of the Black Sea, neither side can advance deeply, and with the coast entirely lined by rugged mountains, advancing along the coast is also difficult.

In this direction, they just fight moderately, pushing back and forth.

Next is amphibious operations.

Naturally, with the Black Sea between the two countries, naval combat is inevitable, but in the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire's naval power was no match for Russia.

As a result, it became a one-sided pattern of Russia landing and the Ottoman Empire defending.

There was a reason every Black Sea port developed coastal artillery.

Lastly, as was the case from the 18th century to the end of the 19th century, until 1877's last Russo-Turkish War (Independence War), there was fighting on European land (left of the Black Sea).

Generally, Russia and the Ottoman Empire have fought until now adopting one or two of these three methods.

However, this time Russia wanted an all-directional attack.

"On November 1st, we already succeeded in occupying Turkish Armenia just below Georgia. But advancing further into the barren land would be too difficult."

Already in November, the empire opened the Caucasus theater in West Asia.

With the Russian military government firmly establishing control over northern Persia and maintaining a strong presence along the border regions, combined with battle-hardened Georgian forces already stationed in the area, the occupation of Armenia proceeded with relatively minimal resistance and logistical strain. The existing military infrastructure and supply lines from both powers facilitated a smooth transition of control.

However, any suggestions of extending this campaign westward through Anatolia to reach Constantinople would be fundamentally unreasonable and strategically unsound. The terrain becomes increasingly challenging, with the Anatolian plateau presenting formidable natural barriers. Additionally, the local populations are more numerous and better organized, making occupation far more costly in terms of both military resources and political capital. The supply lines would be stretched dangerously thin across vast distances, and maintaining effective control over such an expanded territory would require forces and resources far beyond current capabilities.

There's a reason the two countries have long hesitated to fight in the barren land.

"So we must conduct amphibious operations after all. Though the Ottoman Empire has weakened since the Great Eastern Crisis, they're still not an opponent to take lightly in homeland defense."

Constantinople is not such an easy city.

More precisely, approaching Istanbul is not easy.

'With few sandy beaches and mostly cliffs, there aren't many landing points.'

Then is a land campaign easy? This is almost an expeditionary war on the scale of the Russo-Japanese War.

"Even if Bulgaria opens the road, we can't be entirely at ease."

"We'll need naval supply."

"Continuous troop reinforcement will be difficult too."

"I'm also aware we need to end it in one stroke. It's no coincidence General Brusilov left the Northwestern Army Group."

Despite Minister Roman Nikolayevich's points, Kuropatkin remained utterly relaxed.

A composure completely contrasting with his past behavior of acting like he always had a hangman's noose around his neck.

Roman sighed and asked.

"Bulgarian forces joining... probably not. Hah, what is it?"

"Hehe, I just heard the news yesterday myself, so I don't know the detailed plans yet."

"Just tell me."

"The Anglo-French forces."

These countries that declared war on the Ottoman Empire but had only managed to take a few islands along with Greece until now.

If they come, they'll surely bring massive naval forces.

"...It's over without even looking."

"Yes, with Romania's joining we didn't need to stake everything on amphibious operations, and if they bring their navy too, it might be even easier than Poland."

It looks very good strategically too.

Romanian-Russian allied forces coming through Bulgaria.

Anglo-French allied forces attacking through the Mediterranean.

Amphibious operations via the Black Sea fleet.

Plus the Caucasus theater in West Asia keeping them nervous.

Even to Roman, at this rate the enemy wouldn't be able to concentrate their forces and would have to give up their capital the moment one side breaks through.

"When exactly are they coming?"

"They said they need about one to two months. So roughly late January to early February to start amphibious operations."

Since it's too difficult for warships to come straight from the Mediterranean to Constantinople, they'll also need to conduct amphibious operations before reaching Constantinople.

There's only one candidate for the landing site.

Just as Russia aims to occupy the Bosphorus Strait, they need to take the Dardanelles first, right here.

"...Gallipoli."

"Their naval minister seemed to have this in mind since summer. That's why they seized two Ottoman battleships that had declared neutrality."

Roman couldn't tell if this should be called foresight or neighborhood thuggery, but.

"Finally we can see the Western Europeans' vaunted dreadnoughts in actual combat."

"The Dardanelles Strait? Once those massive battleships fire their guns a bit, it's over."

Still, today more than ever, having them as allies felt truly reassuring.

With their military power, they might even blow up the Padishah's palace with 15-inch naval guns after occupying the strait.

Roman truly did not doubt the alliance.