Chapter 1361 - 1145: The Air Force’s One-Sided Domination

This SSO special forces unit, he had heard about it.

It is the most elite and also the most low-key ace of the Russian Federation Armed Forces—the Special Operations Command (SSO, acronym SSO).

Unlike the more publicly known counter-terrorism units "Alpha" and "Signal Flag" under the Federal Security Bureau (FSB), the SSO is a strategic-level special force directly under the Russian Ministry of Defense, benchmarked against the United States' Delta Force or Britain's SAS, serving as the sharp blade for the Russian Army in overseas intervention and executing high-difficulty special operations missions.

SSO was established during the new wave of military reforms post-2009, aiming to create an all-around special forces unit capable of global deployment and addressing diverse threats. Its member selection is considered Hell mode, primarily selecting top elites from paratroopers (VDV), GRU special brigades, and other military branches, with candidates needing to pass near-perverse physical, skill, psychological, and mental tests.

They are equipped with the most advanced personal equipment of the Russian Army and even the world, from custom-designed AK-12 series assault rifles, VSS silent sniper rifles, AR series assault rifles to various models of drones, portable radars, laser designators, and encrypted communication devices, everything is available.

Their combat uniforms and equipment have also heavily borrowed and improved upon Western modular design, allowing flexible camouflage changes according to mission areas. Tactical vests, helmets, accessory packs, in every detail reflect practicality and ergonomics considerations, which starkly contrast with the somewhat rugged traditional image of the Russian Army.

The "Chef" suppressed his excitement and quickly relayed this great news to Song Heping and the constantly frowning government army commander General Rakhman.

"Since we have professional 'guides' arriving, let's pause this suicidal decapitation operation for now."

Song Heping adapted smoothly, decisively changing the plan, "General Rakhman, immediately order all forward units to stop unnecessary counterattacks, continue to shrink the defense line, concentrate all manpower and firepower to hold key junctions and sturdy buildings, adopt flexible defense, tiered blockade, exchange space for time, to maximize delay and consume the enemy, waiting for the air strikes to arrive!"

The order was quickly issued, with the surviving government troops beginning to retreat in an orderly fashion, constructing new fire points relying on the ruins.

Just as everyone was nervously deploying, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Grim Reaper from the sky, a government soldier covered in dust ran into the command post, reporting to General Rakhman: "General, there's a person outside the base gate, specifically asking to see Mr. Song Heping. He said once his name 'Hunter' is mentioned, Mr. Song will definitely meet him. We found him suspicious, so we temporarily detained him."

"Hunter?"

Song Heping was taken aback upon hearing this, then a trace of joy flashed in his eyes.

"What does he look like?"

He inquired in detail about the appearance of the person, and the soldier responded to each description.

"Indeed, it's my friend! And also our company's most outstanding sniper."

Song Heping told Rakhman, with a rare sense of urgency in his tone.

Soon, "Hunter" walked into the command post under the "escort" of two government soldiers.

He still wore his ever-unwavering ice-cold face, but the dust-covered combat uniform and the fatigue deeply embedded in his eyes indicated that it wasn't an easy journey for him to get here.

"Boss, finally found you."

"Hunter" saw Song Heping standing safely in front of him, his icy gaze slightly softened, as if releasing a breath, "After you went off the grid, the company almost turned upside down, Ferrari was anxious to spread the entire Middle East intelligence network, even wanting to come in person. I stopped him and came on his behalf. Just after arriving in Siria, I vaguely heard news that you weren't dead, after much difficulty, pried from local informants that you might be in this hellish place called Homs, and traced you here."

His words were brief, but the hardships behind them were evident.

Song Heping felt warmth in his heart, giving "Hunter" a strong pat on the shoulder without uttering any gratitude, letting everything speak for itself.

Their brief exchange hadn't finished when suddenly, several fully armed soldiers entered quickly under the guidance of General Rakhman's adjutant.

Their presence seemed to carry an invisible aura, instantly drawing the attention of everyone within the command post.

This squad of about seven or eight people wasn't dressed in standard Russian military digital camouflage, instead wearing multi-terrain camouflage uniforms more suited to the desert and urban ruins environment of Siria, primarily in gray-green and earth tones.

Their modular tactical vests were equipped with various equipment packs of unknown use, Kevlar helmets integrated with night vision bases and noise-canceling headphones, their faces painted with dark camouflage oil paint.

Though they holding AK series rifles as their base, these were heavily modified, with long Picatinny rails equipped with holographic sights, magnifying scopes, tactical lights, and laser designators, the muzzles fitted with advanced flash suppressors, each weapon resembling a work of art.

The leading officer, indicated by his Major rank insignia, even through the oil paint, had sharply defined facial features and eyes as calm and sharp as a Siberian wolf.

General Rakhman stepped forward to engage, and the other party briskly presented identification.

It was indeed a detachment commander of the Russian Army SSO Special Forces, Major Petrovsky, codenamed "Wolverine".

Major Petrovsky and Rakhman engaged in a brief, efficient exchange, confirming the current enemy situation and the airstrike guidance area.