War is always deceitful. If you can do something, show the enemy that you cannot; if you are weak, pretend that you are strong; if you are ready to attack, put on a humble appearance. So Sasha Panov followed this path, knowing in advance that there was no chance of winning, and he had to deceive even his friends. But we must do everything possible and impossible so that the fortress and the city are not taken by surprise, and hold out for at least half a day, covering the troops retreating from the border.