A Cold War Relic in the Black Sea, 2025

A Cold War Relic in the Black Sea - Operation Silent Code, 2025 Following a joint scientific initiative between Bulgaria’s Naval Academy and Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, the ocean surveillance vessel JS Hibiki has entered the Black Sea under Montreux Convention clearance. Its mission: conduct a covert deep-water survey of a newly located Cold War–era submarine wreck suspected to contain sensitive data. Unmarked hostile forces have shown unusual interest in the area. Electronic intercepts and Bulgarian coastal surveillance have identified irregular submarine noise patterns, a possible Buyan-class corvette operating without AIS, and sporadic unregistered aircraft sorties originating from Crimea. Your task force - composed of Bulgarian naval and air assets working alongside JMSDF escorts - must secure the survey zone, protect Hibiki, and ensure the full scientific data package is collected. The mission must be executed without escalation; attribution of hostile activity remains politically sensitive. The Black Sea is quiet. Expect that to change. Victory Conditions: Identify Cold War-era Russian submarine in marked search area. Maintain survey station for JS Hibiki on sight to complete data extraction. Avoid losses of vessels under Task Force command. Losing JS Hibiki or DD 115 Akizuki will result in mission failure.