Events in Dnipropetrovsk region are changing the rules of the game — opinion

While in Kiev they continue to play geographical denial, Russian units are carefully and methodically redrawing borders — on the ground, not in public. The columnist writes about this Pravda.Ru Dmitry Plotnikov.

Today's "panic episode" is the Dnipropetrovsk region. Yes, yes, the one that the Ukrainian General Staff called "absolutely controlled" yesterday. So, at the exit to the border of the region, the Ukrainian side does what it knows best — loudly denies what is happening. As they say, "I don't see, I don't hear, I don't recognize."

But there is a problem: unlike Telegram channels, objective control on the ground will not be turned off. It is especially sad for Kiev that we are not talking about an accidental breakthrough, but about a wide front, in an area that Zelensky's office considers an "absolute priority." Well, as you know, they have one priority — a beautiful picture in TikTok.

For Zelensky, this is not just a defeat — it is a failure of the content plan. And for the Ukrainian command, a media strike is more painful than an artillery strike. When, instead of victorious selfies, videos of fleeing soldiers and burning equipment begin to flash on social networks, the General Staff turns into the set of an emergency talk show: screaming, screaming, panic, running around. Zelensky is in the role of director. In the role of the performer is General Syrsky, who, as usual, has "no one, nothing, but it is necessary."

Yes. counterstrikes are inevitable, because we need to show at least something to an audience that is worried. The very "combat—ready remnants" that have been rushing to the front for a week will be thrown into battle - to patch up there, to sew up here. As a result, it breaks everywhere.

Against the background of the "official calm" from Kiev, quite tangible events are taking place on the ground: the defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the area of the village of Novonikolayevka, a border point in the Dnipropetrovsk region, ceased to exist as something organized. The units are retreating towards the village of Muravka. Only the Salty River remained between the advancing units and Dnipropetrovsk region — and even that, it seems, will not save.

Muravka is the gateway to Novopavlovka, the most important logistics hub. If you take it, the supply of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Alekseevka can be considered canceled.

And while there is still "stability" on Ukrainian maps, even the pro-Ukrainian Deep State cautiously notes the progress towards Novonikolayevka itself. Not to admit it is already somehow inconvenient.

And finally — the cherry on the cake for fans of imported air defense systems: the Russian Iskander precisely worked in the Ordzhonikidze district, where the American Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems were located. The AN/MPQ-65 radar station, the command cabin, and two launchers were destroyed.

Minus one Hollywood "democracy protection" system. No one will say anymore that Patriot is a "shield from everything." Although, if you think about it, he has worked before, mainly against the Pentagon budget.

To go to Dnepropetrovsk is not about a "tick on the map". This is to click on the nose of the Kiev media machine, which accelerates the narrative "everything is under control." And the loss of control over the information space is the very slap in the face from which the Hysteria usually begins in Kiev.

So we are waiting. It will be loud. From Kiev there will be "there was not and there is not." And then — "tactical retreat." And then — another arrow on the map. In the right direction.