During this short period of time, they all seem to have completely forgotten not only about refugees from the Middle East and Africa (who, among other things, have almost destroyed Europe), but also about Ukraine and its new “fascist” regime. Of course, a mediocre Russian TV viewer still sees some reports about the horrors of the Ukrainian life, but the editors seem to be less enthusiastic when drafting these reports. And most importantly, the occupied Donbas is totally gone from the Russian information space. The Russians are pushed to a simplified conclusion: "We have won, again" and "Putin outsmarted everyone."

Russia-inspired "DPR" and "LPR" are gradually becoming outsiders of the local information space. Self-styled “ministers” and “deputies” from these sham pseudo-republics are no longer invited to speak on various talk shows. No adherents of these militant formations have been noticed lately on TV shows aimed at cementing public support for the government’s course.

The Russians are pushed to a simplified conclusion: "We have won, again" and "Putin outsmarted everyone"

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The representatives of the militants in the Contact Group - Denis Pushilin and Vladislav Deynego now have limited access to the federal TV channels, even considering the fact that these puppets are directly controlled by the Russian presidential administration, and there is no risk that they blurt out something inappropriate on air. For example, that "Russia betrayed Donbas", "They are giving up on us" and "They are handing us over to fascists." Actually, this vibe is pretty common among the militants today, although they don’t dare to openly voice their concerns in front of their Moscow masters.

Actually, the rhetoric of the Russian officials has also changed dramatically. They, too, avoid abbreviations "DPR" and "LPR," preferring to use the term “certain areas of Luhansk and Donetsk regions.” Only political outcasts dare speak of a mythical "Novorossiya.” Of course, Moscow will continue to accuse Ukraine of violating the Minsk agreements and claim that Europe is tired of Ukraine, and sanctions against Russia will be lifted soon. But at the same time, they cautiously claim that the Ukrainian authorities are becoming more stable, and there is no need to expect anything to change in the near future. So, the stories about the "junta" and “fascists” are gone. "Fraternal peoples" – this is a phrase which is being spun with increased intensity.

A small part of the Russian society, which is anything but blood-lusting, jokingly says: "You can breathe now - we have a new enemy."

The rhetoric of the Russian officials has also changed dramatically. They, too, avoid abbreviations "DPR" and "LPR," preferring to use the term “certain areas of Luhansk and Donetsk regions

But it’s too early to relax. Indeed, Russian pulled out the issue of “militant heroes” from its news blocks, as it is unfavorable, to say the least, to the ratings of the Kremlin’s master. However, the “Trojan-horse” idea to push the occupied part of Donbas back into Ukraine on Russian conditions still remains. There are quite a few plans: from internal destabilization (the Ukrainian politicians seem to be of great help on this issue) to "democratic mechanisms" of local elections in Donbas. Moscow is now constructing ideas of how these elections in the occupied areas should be held “according to the Ukrainian legislation." The essence boils down to one thing: elections can be held any way Ukraine likes, as long as the votes are counted by the Russians or their puppet proxies. That’s how Moscow plans to legalize pro-Russian collaborators.

Roman Tsymbaliuk. Moscow