Sinking of the NRN Constantino Buccio

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Sinking of the KKS Konstantin Böhm
Part of the Karolingian Crisis
Date July 29, 2020 Location Johannes Bay, off the Karolingian coast Result Exacerbation of geopolitical tensions Tretridian and Arkian military on alert LN-mandated independence referendum Eventual Karolingian collapse
Belligerents
Unknown	Karolingia
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Erhardt Armbruster (WIA)
Units involved
Unknown submarine	KKS Konstantin Böhm
Casualties and losses
None	1 frigate lost 51 dead 39 wounded

The sinking of the KKS Konstantin Böhm was perpetrated in the early morning of July 29, 2020, by an unknown party flying the Arkian flag. The attack took place in Karolingian territorial waters in Johannes Bay, in what would have amounted to an act of war. This came after Arkalarius pressed territorial claims on land that formally belonged to Karolingia, and allegedly moved troops into Karolingian territory.

The effects of the attack were almost immediate, with Tretrid accusing Arkalarius of perpetrating the attack. Arkalarius denied these claims, and instead argued that the attack was a false flag operation, which would amount to a violation of international maritime law. Arkalarius pointed to their own naval records, which claimed that they had no submarines in the area at the time of the sinking. Independent investigations of the sinking remain inconclusive.

The League of Novaris, called upon to mediate the increasingly tense situation, condemned the attacks, though they did not believe Tretridian claims that Arkalarius was responsible. The League also accepted Arkian demands to hold an independence referendum in Karolingia, which would lead to political violence and the eventual collapse of the country.

Background

Arkian Civil War and Neu Arkia

Main article: Arkian Civil War

After the Arkian Confederation fractured into two warring factions in 2002, about a quarter of the former country's territory broke away when Ostarkeland declared independence as Neu Arkia and when Tretrid seized and occupied Schlesia.

After the Arkian Civil War ended, the victorious Arkian Empire claimed Neu Arkia's territory as rightfully Arkian. The unpopular oligarchic regime of Neu Arkia likely would have collapsed or been toppled by Arkalarius if Tretrid had not moved to ally itself with the country, propping the state up. Tretrid sought to prevent a resurgent Arkalarius from reclaiming its former territorial extent, to effectively prevent it from regaining its pre-Civil War strength.

This was highly controversial, even in Tretrid itself. Opposition politicians denounced the move as propping up a corrupt, ineffective regime, especially in light of the increasingly unpopular continued occupation of Schlesia. After members of the Neu Arkian Council were implicated in the corruption scandals around then-Prime Minister Æthelred Wulfricson in 2016, continued Tretridian support of the regime was denounced as corrupt and fueled by bribery from Neu Arkian officials. By the time Eoforwine Æthelstanson became Prime Minister at the end of the year, he noted his "reluctance" to continue supporting the state, but believed that it was "absolutely necessary" for Tretrid's foreign policy.

Aftermath

International reactions

Volscina: Empress Ilse Erika von Freyaelv called the attacks "beyond any reason or plans we could have had," and called the submarine "rogue." She condemned the attacks, while denying that the submarine was Arkian, claiming that they had no records of any Arkian submarines. Von Freyaelv promised to declassify Arkian records of submarine activity to clear up any suspicion.

Casilló y Réal: Prime Minister Gabriella Orellana termed the sinking a “distressing and entirely dishonorable violation of the respect for law that civilized society depends on.” The Prime Minister further gave recommendations for Corric nationals to avoid the Arkian and Karolingian territories. King Sebastián II gave orders to the Royal Corric Armada to monitor shipping in the area of the sinking.

League of Novaris: A motion to condemn the sinking passed the Novaran Council by a unanimous vote.

Tavaris: While noting that "the exact details of this event are still unclear," Tavari Minister of External Affairs Atra Metravar released a statement saying that it would constitute "an unacceptable violation of Karolingian sovereignty." Metravar "unequivocally and whole-heartedly" condemned the attacks.

Tretrid: Prime Minister Eoforwine Æthelstanson immediately pinned the blame for the sinking on Arkalarius, stating that the attack was "a blatant attack on Karolingian sovereignty by the Arkians" and that claims that the attack was a false flag operation carried out by a different party were "completely unsubstantiated."