Mikhail Mishustin shrugged his shoulders and noted:

  - That's how to say it! The best Russian units were ground up during the war with Ukraine. We lost more than a hundred thousand soldiers, officers, generals alone killed! Plus, the front in Tajikistan. We may not have enough forces in the course of the Islamic coup. And in general, we are actually fighting in Ukraine with half of the world. And we have huge problems in this regard!

  The Minister of the Interior noted:

  - Anti-war sentiments are growing in Russia. Including among deputies of all levels. Even members of "United Russia" and then join the protest. Gennady Zyuganov, our six are too old and weak to hold back the communists rushing into battle. And let's say our deeds are very bad. Crime is also growing. As well as prices. The mood of the people is very disturbing. In addition, Wahhabis have become more active in the North Caucasus. They are again raising their heads and often operate in contact with Western intelligence agencies. And in the colonies there are more and more riots.

  Matvienko noted:

  - It is necessary to declare an amnesty for juvenile delinquents and women!

  The Minister of the Interior noted:

  - And youngsters are punished too softly. It got to the point that many commit murders - to feel like men, but they sit for a year, two, and even in conditions almost like in a sanatorium. And it pampers them!

  Dmitry Medvedev nodded vigorously:

  - Soon these youngsters will sit on our heads! Sometimes you even regret that childhood is not forever. And that would be a hooligan from the heart!

  Mikhail Mishustin nodded and noted:

  - First of all, it is necessary to hold a worthy funeral for President Putin. Despite his mistakes and excesses, many Russians still consider him a type of deity. And we must remain loyal to the deceased. In particular, the coffin should be gold, and posthumously Putin should be given the star of the hero of Russia!

  Dmitry Medvedey immediately spoke out:

  - And also the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, and the title of Marshal of Russia!

  Mikhail Mishustin chuckled and replied:

  - There can be at once the generalissimo? What is trifles?!

  Sergei Shoigu noted with a sigh:

  - To give the Generalissimo to the late Vladimir Putin, this will already be an obvious bust! But the marshal can be given!

  The Acting President of Russia remarked:

  - But Shoigu could have been given a marshal. And declare that we are winning the war with Ukraine, although this is not so!

  The head of the FSB remarked:

  - You need to decide - war to the bitter end or peace! Don't wander around like rabbits.

  The Acting President asked:

  What does the secret police think about this?

  Bortnikov sighed heavily and answered:

  - We cannot give Ukraine the four regions that we have annexed. And if you do not give it back, then Ukraine and the West will not go to peace with us. In any case, they won't give up that much. That is, there is only one way out - war to the bitter end!

  Mishustin remarked:

  - The idea to fight to the end is interesting. But any war sooner or later ends in peace. After all, it is unrealistic to capture and hold the whole of Ukraine!

  Shoigu remarked:

  - If you mobilize a couple of million more soldiers, it will be real. We still have mobilization resources. Plus, you can still recruit mercenaries from friendly countries. True, the front with the Taliban is active and creates problems. But, in the end, we can leave Tajikistan!

  The Acting President said:

  - A blow to the prestige of Russia?

  The Minister of Defense logically noted:

  -If we give four regions to Ukraine, then the impact on prestige will be much stronger! Maybe even fatal!

  Mishustin remarked:

  - This is a war not only with Ukraine, but in fact with the entire collective West. Vladimir Putin, though far from being a genius, enjoyed the support of the people, and even the Chechens respected and obeyed him. And will we be able to carry out the old policy, having lost a charismatic leader? - Acting President of Russia slammed on the table and continued. - Is Stalinism possible without Stalin and Putinism without Putin!

  There was a heavy pause. Indeed, many members of the Security Council have long had doubts about the correctness of the chosen course. Is Russia strong enough to pull a confrontation with the entire collective West? Yes, and the Taliban in the south hit. Quite expectedly, they caught the moment when the best forces of Russia were either crushed or bogged down in Ukraine.

  Indeed, here the question may already be about the survival of Russia in the new, more difficult conditions.

  Yes, and anti-war sentiment among the people is growing. Russia is losing support and authority in the world.

  Medvedev took, as if after a pause:

  - And what is our way out! If we give Ukraine and the West four regions that were annexed, then we will be disgraced for centuries, and this will mean political death for us. The people will not forgive us such a defeat!