Following the development plan from before the new year, the Kiev-Khmelnytskyi Railway continued. Just as planned, Semenov and Putivnik continued west, entering the city of Khmelnytskyi.

Rushing west to meet the Cossack Otamans, was Rozkishny himself. Zipping along the railways from Kirovograd to Kiev, and down the brand new railway, Rozkishny made waves in the press of the Polye, with quite the publicity stunt.

Rozkishny addressed the press in Khmelnytskyi, swatting aside accusations from the press that he was only doing such a maneuver to preven the Cossacks from gaining too much power, with flowery language affirming the special history that Khmelnytskyi and Cossacks share - the city is named after the King of Cossacks, after all.

Rozkishny was also fielded questions about the land residing between Khmelnytskyi and Kiev, to which reporters were especially curious about the economic potential. When Rozkishny began a long-winded explanation of oil fields, and the petrochemical potential of the area, he was blindsided by the reporters pivoting hard to talk of wheat, barley, and millet.

Rozkishny found himself in unfamiliar territory - an unusual feeling for a politician as prolific as himself. What was happening?

[Expansion to UA169, UA170, UA171, UA172, UA180]