flying military shit over foreign countries is a bad idea. at best they'd have several interceptor jets launched to escort them back at worst you get ww3
I mean, it's not the only option available to Russia in the opening, but it's the most common.
In the early game Russia either needs Turkey or Austria as an ally. If they're allied with Austria then they're going to be attacking Turkey, and realistically need either to betray the Turks very effectively or to have Italy onside in a triple alliance for an early Russian attack on Turkey to be at all viable. On the other hand, if they're allied with Turkey then naturally they're attacking Austria, it's easier if Italy's in on it or at least not willing to go out of their way to support Austria but still completely viable.
An early Russian/Turkish combined offensive against Austria usually looks something like
Spring 01
Army Warsaw -> Galicia
Army Moscow -> Ukraine
Fleet Sevastopol -> Black (to bounce with Turkey's Fleet Ankara)
Fleet St Petersburg South Coast -> Gulf of Bothnia
Turkey
Army Constantinople -> Bulgaria
Fleet Ankara -> Black Sea
Army Smyrna -> Constantinople
Autumn 01
Russia focuses on taking Rumania (often using the Sevastopol fleet with Turkish support in exchange for Turkey getting let into the Black Sea) and taking or holding Galicia, then in 02/03 Russia uses their positions in Galicia and Rumania to take Budapest and Vienna while Turkey takes Serbia and Greece, after which the demise of Austria is all but inevitable.
If Russia decides to side with Austria against Turkey early, Austria should still be very wary of Russia transitioning into the midgame, as, especially if Russia has friends or nothing left in the North, attacking Austria and absorbing all of Turkey and the Balkans can easily be the most natural route of expansion. In the lategame starting geography has less of an effect, and with a natural stalemate line between them , an Austrian/Russian alliance can become very stable (especialy if Sevastopol is traded) or very unstable (if Russia maintains a presence South of the stalemate line, or either partner is significantly outpacing the other), but that's a different post altogether.
In short, Russia invading Austria is something the Austrians should always maintain at least a sensible amount of awareness of and, while "at risk" is a very emotive term, I don't think the displayed map is unfair in that aspect.
Sweden and Finland, I think are also very fair to describe as at risk, if Russia has any sort of Northern presence they'll be the first on the chopping block.
The Eastern Mediterranean is more of a stretch, it will only come under threat well after Constantinople has fallen or if Turkey is forced (or for whatever reason chooses) to bare their throat to a Russian ally.
Ireland being at risk is clear nonsense as it is an impasssable territory and cannot be ordered to by armies or fleets.
Okay but like how, realistically, would Russia invade Austria. Paratroopers?
flying military shit over foreign countries is a bad idea. at best they'd have several interceptor jets launched to escort them back at worst you get ww3
Maybe the troops take the train in civilian clothes and change to their uniforms when they get to Vienna?
Either way, Austria is in imminent danger.
deleted by creator
the moleman regiments will tunnel beneath half of europe for the invasion
I mean, it's not the only option available to Russia in the opening, but it's the most common.
In the early game Russia either needs Turkey or Austria as an ally. If they're allied with Austria then they're going to be attacking Turkey, and realistically need either to betray the Turks very effectively or to have Italy onside in a triple alliance for an early Russian attack on Turkey to be at all viable. On the other hand, if they're allied with Turkey then naturally they're attacking Austria, it's easier if Italy's in on it or at least not willing to go out of their way to support Austria but still completely viable.
An early Russian/Turkish combined offensive against Austria usually looks something like
Spring 01
Army Warsaw -> Galicia Army Moscow -> Ukraine Fleet Sevastopol -> Black (to bounce with Turkey's Fleet Ankara) Fleet St Petersburg South Coast -> Gulf of Bothnia
Turkey
Army Constantinople -> Bulgaria Fleet Ankara -> Black Sea Army Smyrna -> Constantinople
Autumn 01
Russia focuses on taking Rumania (often using the Sevastopol fleet with Turkish support in exchange for Turkey getting let into the Black Sea) and taking or holding Galicia, then in 02/03 Russia uses their positions in Galicia and Rumania to take Budapest and Vienna while Turkey takes Serbia and Greece, after which the demise of Austria is all but inevitable.
If Russia decides to side with Austria against Turkey early, Austria should still be very wary of Russia transitioning into the midgame, as, especially if Russia has friends or nothing left in the North, attacking Austria and absorbing all of Turkey and the Balkans can easily be the most natural route of expansion. In the lategame starting geography has less of an effect, and with a natural stalemate line between them , an Austrian/Russian alliance can become very stable (especialy if Sevastopol is traded) or very unstable (if Russia maintains a presence South of the stalemate line, or either partner is significantly outpacing the other), but that's a different post altogether.
In short, Russia invading Austria is something the Austrians should always maintain at least a sensible amount of awareness of and, while "at risk" is a very emotive term, I don't think the displayed map is unfair in that aspect.
Sweden and Finland, I think are also very fair to describe as at risk, if Russia has any sort of Northern presence they'll be the first on the chopping block.
The Eastern Mediterranean is more of a stretch, it will only come under threat well after Constantinople has fallen or if Turkey is forced (or for whatever reason chooses) to bare their throat to a Russian ally.
Ireland being at risk is clear nonsense as it is an impasssable territory and cannot be ordered to by armies or fleets.