Girls und Panzers: A Thundering Evolution

Great Kyiv University Story Arc.

Title: Slava Ukraine: The Rise of Artem Kovalenko

Summary:

Artem Kovalenko, a 17-year-old Ukrainian prodigy in tank warfare, MMA, and gaming, commands the Great Kyiv University (G.K.U) Tankery team, a force created by the Ukrainian government to rival other international schools in the sport of Sensha-Dō. Fiercely unhinged during matches, Artem uses his extensive knowledge of tanks, tactics, and military combat to lead G.K.U to victory against some of the toughest schools around the world. His IS-3 heavy tank, outfitted with a modern engine, is a symbol of Ukraine's military might and the competitive spirit of his team. Alongside a diverse cast of international rivals, including Liberty Union Academy from the US, Tsar Academy from Russia, and Häyhä Academy from Finland, Artem faces off in brutal and high-stakes matches, with drama and badassery in full swing. As Ukraine's Tankery team rises, Artem's close childhood friend, Klara, now a famous tank commander herself, develops feelings for him, adding an emotional undercurrent to the intense battles.

Backstory:

Lviv, Ukraine - 2013

Artem Kovalenko's small body trembled with excitement as he watched his first Sensha-Dō match on the old CRT TV in the family living room. His father had brought home a recorded broadcast from Japan, showing the thrilling matches that had captivated the East. Six-year-old Artem was spellbound by the synchronized movements of the tanks, the explosive firepower, and the strategies that seemed straight out of his video games.

"Dad! I want to do that!" Artem shouted, fists clenched in determination. He stood up, his thick eyebrows furrowed with resolve. His father smiled, ruffling his son's short brown hair, not knowing how seriously Artem meant it.

However, Sensha-Dō was considered a girls-only sport in Japan, and the few boys in Artem's town of Lviv were quickly frustrated by this discovery. Fuck that, Artem thought. The very idea of being sidelined because of his gender boiled his blood. He wasn't about to sit on the sidelines while others had all the fun. Artem, along with his friends, raised hell about it, nagging their parents, and their collective voices reached the ears of local officials.

By the time Artem turned twelve, rumors began to surface of Russia creating their own Tankery team. Hell no, Artem thought, clenching his fists. Ukraine couldn't just let Russia, their long-time rival, dominate in Tankery too. The Ukrainian government, already fueled by a competitive spirit, caught wind of this and decided to act. Backed by the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), Ukraine officially launched Great Kyiv University (G.K.U.)-a Tankery school that would not follow the typical Sensha-Dō Federation rules. Unlike the Japanese Federation, which clung to WW2 tanks and tactics, Ukraine embraced both the old and the modern, allowing modifications to tanks and tactics that could switch between past and present-day combat scenarios.

By the time the school opened its doors, Artem was one of the first students. Standing at 6'3" at the age of 13, with a slim but muscular build from years of MMA training, he quickly rose through the ranks due to his encyclopedic knowledge of tanks, combat tactics, and his unhinged demeanor during practice matches. He was the type of kid who would stay up late, playing video games, analyzing every battle, and figuring out how to transfer those tactics into real-world scenarios.

"SHOUTING in matches!?" That was Artem's favorite part. His teammates learned quickly that he was completely out of his mind once a match started. "Get the fuck out of the way or do your goddamn job!" he'd scream at his crew, glasses gleaming under his thick eyebrows, as he directed them to another victory. Artem didn't care about diplomacy or being nice. Winning was the only thing that mattered.

His tank of choice? The IS-3 heavy tank, a goddamn behemoth of steel, which had been modified with a KMDB 6TD-4 engine, cranking out 1,500 horsepower, making it faster and more efficient than any other World War II relic. This monster roared across the battlefield like a predator hunting its prey, with Artem at the helm, eyes burning with obsession.