April 13th, 1936

Independent since Krasnov's 1924 Coup that ended in failure, the Don Republic was a mouse between two giants. Between a German-dominated Eastern Europe and a politically unstable Russian Republic, Ataman Krasnov would successfully bring the Don Cossacks into the German economic sphere, utilizing German finances and loans to further modernize and mechanize the region. Bordering the equally fertile Ukraine, the Don Republic was able to provide vast amounts of grain, further securing Germany's food situation should a blockade reminiscent of 1914 occur once again. However, with Black Monday causing the German economy to spiral toward economic collapse, the Republic, worried about its own state of affairs with the collapse in global food prices and demands, quickly demanded the repayment of loans given to farmers. While larger homesteads were able to more or less find enough capital to pay the Central Bank, smaller farmers had to either default or make other arrangements with the Cossack government.

Trying to use his own personality and popularity to prevent a backlash against the Don Republic's government, Ataman Krasnov's public statements have resulted in the backlash being centered on him and him alone. This combined with a flurry of pro-reunification, anti-German and anti-Krasnov propaganda would see Krasnov almost shot in Rostov-von-Don on April 3rd. Laying low, Ataman Krasnov would soon tour the countryside, eventually meeting his demise in the town of Millerovo. While inspecting a grain elevator and talking to local farmers, Turfanov Erik Pavlovich - a local Russian nationalist - would quickly take aim and shoot Krasnov twice in the back before being tackled and arrested by Krasnov's personal guard. While Krasnov was rushed to the hospital, he was unable to recover from his wounds and soon died after falling into a coma.

As a result of Krasnov's death, the Don Republic has quickly come together and have elected Sergei Pavlov as the next Ataman of the Don Republic. Once the final tally was collected, Pavlov - with the support of the Cossack Assembly - has quickly petitioned the Russian Government to send troops to the region in order to 'restore order' following the death of Ataman Krasnov.