The Soviet Army is moving west, destroying one NATO division after another on its way! BMP versus F-16! Orthodox cross over the Bosphorus and the Church of Hagia Sophia! In the midst of events, a powerful “misfit” comes to the aid of the heroes - an alien from another era!!!What is this? Another novel from young talented authors in the genres of “alternative history” and “patriotic combat fiction” that are so popular today?.. No and again no. The author of the story is an American science fiction writer and certified Byzantine historian Harry Turtledove. Russian-speaking science fiction fans may be familiar with his novels and series such as “Invasion Fleet” (the Earth in 1942 is invaded by aliens from outer space), “The Lost Legion” (the adventures of Roman legionnaires in a fantastic parallel world), “The Griffin Skull” (the voyages of Greek navigators to the era of Alexander the Great) and many others. The story we bring to your attention is published in Russian for the first time, although it was published almost a quarter of a century ago. Which only adds a special piquancy to the conflicts described and the decisions his characters make...