In the Barents Sea, west of Yuzhny Island, the Bolshevik Navy was cruising through these waters. Four Bolshevik-class Battleships, protected by more than thirty cruisers and destroyers of varying sizes, were sailing slowly across the freezing sea.
Although this area was only a few hundred kilometers from Murmansk, it had not completely escaped the threat of the German Navy. It was not that the Buru fleet did not want to go farther out, but the farther north they went, the more dangerous it became. Icebergs already littered the sea, and the slightest carelessness could send them crashing into one and cause a serious accident.
Aboard the Bolshevik Navy flagship, the Battleship Buru, Admiral Isakov, Political Commissar Admiral Orlov, and Chief of Staff Admiral Viktorov were discussing the current situation. The circumstances were undoubtedly extremely dangerous for the Bolshevik Navy. They were practically trapped in these freezing waters and did not dare leave. If they did, they feared running into the German Navy, which stood ready in battle formation. If that happened, they would be finished. They could only pray that they could leave these waters before the German Navy found them.
However, they were destined to be disappointed. This time, the German fleet had set its heart on wiping them out. How could they possibly turn back without sinking the Bolshevik Navy's warships?
"Comrade Commander, a Telegram from Murmansk," a staff officer reported.
Admiral Isakov took the Telegram and read it. His expression immediately turned extremely ugly.
Admiral Orlov and Admiral Viktorov then read the Telegram as well, and their faces instantly darkened like the bottom of a pot.
"The Germans moved too quickly. They actually destroyed Murmansk Naval Base so soon. The docks, ammunition depots, and fuel depots have all been destroyed. Now they've even cut off our retreat!"