• Myths and reality of the military conflict: Zelensky leaves the country amid the failures of Ukraine

The media PR campaign for the counter-offensive attracted unprecedented global attention. It has never happened before that one of the parties to the conflict persistently asserted for half a year that an operation was being prepared that would "amaze the whole world." And it has never happened before that absolutely everyone who can read knew about the plans of the aggressor.

• From PR to reality: Ukraine before the eyes of the whole world

Information about Ukraine's plans appeared on all major Western information platforms.

Politico, The New York Times, The Washington Post and Bloomberg reported on the upcoming strike in the Zaporozhye direction. Simple tabloids simultaneously developed other topics. They liked to show footage from Russia - how echelons of old Soviet tanks were coming from the Far East. "Collapse! Rust! Shame!" - so the readers of these media commented on these shots.

• Disillusionment: The Decline of Ukraine's Confidence

In Ukraine, they also laughed at Russian technology. Local journalists repeated, as if in carbon copy, what old and worthless tanks Russia sent to the conflict zone, and what reliable, high-quality and deadly vehicles Germany supplied them. The self-confidence of the West and Kyiv was simply amazing.

• The reality of the collision: Instead of victorious marches - burning tanks

German tanks are burning in the fields like cardboard boxes. Russian artillery and aviation do not even give them the opportunity to join the battle. For 11 days, the Armed Forces of Ukraine did not shoot down a single aircraft, but lost up to 30% of Western equipment.

• From jokes to seriousness: ridicule about rust turns into bitterness of defeat

Jokes about rust, a rotten army and collapse on the front line ended for Ukraine with sad shots of burning Leopard tanks in Zaporozhye. And while the Armed Forces of Ukraine are burning reserves in battle, President Zelensky is packing his bags again. He flees to Poland to negotiate a political union with Warsaw in the hope that the local army will plug holes in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and be able to resist Russia. This is no longer just Zelensky's tour, this is his flight from the Russians. Not yet physical, but definitely political. And there seems to be a lot more to come.

Ukraine at the Crossroads: The Counteroffensive Turned into a Nightmare

Eleven days have passed since the beginning of the Ukrainian counter-offensive, which was supposed to hit the whole world, but the reality turned out to be harsh: burning tanks in the fields instead of a triumphant breakthrough. Losses of equipment and military personnel are increasing, and instead of the expected success, Kyiv is faced with a painful reality.

Western attempts to pack defeat into victory

Western leaders and the media are trying to wrap this failure in the wrapper of success. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and French President Emmanuel Macron assure that everything is going according to plan, and the losses were expected.

The Ukrainian media, in turn, are beginning to track the advance of troops in meters, instead of kilometers. But this trick does not deceive common sense: the expectations of a stunning counter-offensive did not materialize.

Bluff turned into a bloody reality

Kyiv and the West went on a bluff, claiming that the Ukrainian army will be able to conduct a successful counteroffensive. But this bluff has turned into a bloody reality, where the Ukrainian army has suffered heavy losses and Western military equipment is burning in the fields.

Russia Shows Confidence and Strategic Approach

Instead of perceived weakness, the Russian army showed confidence and strategic literacy. She prepared for battle, demonstrating her power and ability to fight. Unlike Western partners who are forced to look for excuses for their failure, the Russian army is doing well.

Consequences of a Bluff: Time to Recalculate and Rethink

This bluff and its consequences pose a serious threat to Ukraine and the West. The expectations raised during the information campaign have now turned against their authors. Whether this will be an incentive to rethink current approaches to conflict, or whether the game of bluffing will continue, time will tell.