Chernarus (Black Russia) is a fictional post-Soviet country.
The country is in a state of political unrest, with a western backed democratic government trying to hold onto power from pro-communist rebels. After many months of civil war, the communist rebels failed to overthrow the current government and set up the Socialist Republic of Chernarus. The Chernarussian government asks the west for help and the United States sends the U.S. Marine Corps via an Expeditionary Strike Group off the coast of Chernarus. The campaign starts when the U.S. Marine Corps' Force Recon is deployed to Chernarus to quell the civil war.
Civil war has now been raging for two years after a long period of political instability, caused by conflicts between a pro-Western coalition and communist-nationalist Chernarus Red Star Movement (ChDKZ), aka "Chedaki". After ChDKZ was defeated by the democratic wing in the 2008 elections, tension escalated during the so-called September Crisis.
With wide support from ethnic Russians in the Northern Province of Chernarus, insurgents attempted to reunite Northern Chernarus with Russia by force, but were defeated in the counter-insurgency operation "Northwind"“. By the summer of 2009, remaining insurgent troops retreated to hideouts in the northern mountains.
In the autumn of 2009, "Chedaki" surprisingly launched a major assault on government forces, led by infamous supreme warlord, nicknamed Akula ("Shark"). In a few weeks insurgents seized most of the Northern Province, and declared independence from the Chernarussian government.
After negotiations to join Russia resulted in dismissal by Moscow, insurgents installed their own government and declared martial law, continuing to advance to the western part of the country. Government forces suffered heavy losses and the situation became critical. Alexander Baranov, the prime minister of Chernarus, asked NATO forces to assist in restoring peace and order in Chernarus.
The Alliance alerts its rapid reaction forces in the Euro-Asian theater. It is decided to send Marines to the area to prevent further civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict between "Chedaki" and remnants of Chernarussian Defence Forces. A Marine Expeditionary Force is deployed to take control of the situation.
United States Marine Corps
USMC deployment in Chernarus consists of 27th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), which is supposed to overturn the balance in the civil war in the favor of Chernarussian government. Marines are skilled in assymetrical warfare and are backed up by superior weapons and technology.
Armed forces of the Russian Federation
Russian contingent of Chernarussian Peacekeeping Forces consists of elite Guard Motor Rifle battalion, reinforced by armor, artillery and attack helicopter detachments. Based on their previous experience with counter-guerilla operations, Russians also make good use of special forces.
Chernarussian Defence Forces "CDF"
Chernarussian military has been trained by Western armies in past years, but it retains weapons and equipment of the Soviet Army, its direct predecessor. Its main task during the past years was to fight challenging counter-insurgecy campaign in the mountainous regions of Northern Chernarus.
Chernarussian Movement of the Red Star "ChDKZ"
Although the communist insurgency has its roots as an underground movement, it is now a conventional force with military structure and weapon platforms captured from the Chernarussian government or provided by international arms dealers. This has given ChDKZ (aka "Chedaki") enough power to start a coup against the government.
National Party "NAPA"
Nationalist guerillas of the National Party is an underground movement lacking sophisticated weapons, but their knowledge of the country, military expertise from civil war and underground network make them serious opponents to both communist guerillas and government forces.
Citizens of Chernarus
The proud people of Chernarus were divided by the civil war and its consequences. A majority of Chernarussian citizens are of Chernarussian nationality, with their own language and culture. There is also an ethnic Russian minority living mainly in the northern territories, where Russian is the second official language. People are also divided by their political alignments and sympathies.