The Russian series “Patrol” has become one of the most discussed projects of 2026, attracting the attention of viewers with an intense plot, realistic police stories and a star cast. This is not just another detective story - it is a deep immersion into the life of patrol service employees, where each episode reveals new facets of human destinies, professional dilemmas and criminal mysteries. The series stands out among similar projects in that it combines documentary reliability (the consultants were active police officers) with dramatic depth, avoiding cliches.
The premiere of "Patrol" caused heated discussions: some praised it for unvarnished toughness and current themes (corruption, domestic violence, juvenile delinquency), others criticize for excessive violence and a dark tone. But even skeptics admit - the series for the first time in years, showed the work of the Russian police without embellishment, with real problems and moral dilemmas. In this article, we will analyze everything that is known about the project: from release dates of new episodes to hidden details of filming that are not noticeable at first glance.
What is the series “Patrol” about: plot and main idea
The action takes place in a fictional city, the prototype of which was Yekaterinburg (filming took place in the Sverdlovsk region). At the center of history - patrol squad, whose employees face not only criminals, but also systemic problems: lack of resources, pressure from superiors and personal dramas. Each episode is dedicated to a separate case, but the through line is connected with the investigation of a series of brutal murders that may be the work of a maniac.
Feature of "Patrol" - absence of the main character. There is no supercop here who solves everything alone. Instead, the viewer is shown teamwork: from an ordinary patrolman to an experienced detective. Among the key storylines:
- 🔍 The case of "Black Funnel" - a series of murders where the victims disappear without a trace, and the only clue is a black minibus.
- 💔 Personal drama of Sergeant Kovalev, who hides a colleague’s drug addiction, risking his career.
- 🚨 Conflict with riot police, when patrol officers witness unjustified violence from the “special forces”.
- 👨👩👧 The story of young patrolwoman Anya, who has to choose between work and family after a tragedy.
It is important to note that the series does not strive to happy ending. Many episodes end openly, and some crimes remain unsolved - just like in real life. This causes a mixed reaction: some viewers accuse the creators of excessive cynicism, others praise them for realism.
- Plot twists
- Acting
- Realistic police work
- Social topics
- Other
Cast: who plays in the series “Patrol”
One of the trump cards of the project is star cast, where experienced actors and young talents are combined. The main roles were played by:
| Actor/Actress | Role | Notable works |
|---|---|---|
| Dmitry Nagiev | Lieutenant Colonel Victor Petrovich Sobolev - head of department, veteran with a dark past | "Kitchen", "Hotel Eleon", "Fizruk" |
| Yulia Snigir | Captain Elena Strelkova - experienced detective, specialist in complex cases | “Time of the First”, “T-34”, “Union of Salvation” |
| Alexander Petrov | Sergeant Igor Kovalev - a patrolman with 10 years of experience, hiding a secret | "Method", "Godunov", "Chernobyl" |
| Aglaya Tarasova | Private Anna "Anya" Savelyeva — a young patrolwoman faced with a moral choice | “Zuleikha Opens Her Eyes”, “Tobol”, “The Captain’s Daughter” |
| Ivan Yankovsky | Major Andrey Ryabov - head of the teaching staff, a cynic with iron principles | "Brother 2", "Dead Man's Bluff", "Legend No. 17" |
Interesting fact: Dmitry Nagiev for the role of Sobolev, he specially communicated with active veteran police officers, and Yulia Snigir took a week-long fire training course. Also involved in the series real employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in cameo roles - this adds authenticity to the scenes of detentions and patrols.
⚠️ Attention: The actor appears in episode 3 Alexey Serebryakov in the role of a suspect - his episode was filmed in one take, which was a surprise for the audience.
Release date and where to watch the series “Patrol” legally
The first four episodes premiered March 15, 2026 on the platform KION (part of the ecosystem MTS Media). The series continues as follows:
- 📅 New episodes - every Friday, 2 episodes.
- 🎬 Season finale scheduled for April 19, 2026 (16 episodes in total).
- 📺 Television premiere on the channel TNT will begin in May 2026 (date to be confirmed later).
Where can I watch it? legal and in good quality:
- 🌐 KION — exclusive premiere, available in Ultra HD (subscription from 199 RUR/month).
- 📱 MTS TV — for operator subscribers (free with MTS Premium tariff).
- 💻 OKKO — episodes appear a week after their release on KION.
- 📡 TNT-Premier - will be available later in the channel archive.
⚠️ Attention: “Leaks” of the first episodes in low quality (360p) have already appeared on pirate sites. According to the creators, these versions not mounted correctly — key scenes are missing, and the sound is overlaid crookedly.
If you have slow Internet, you can select qualities in the KION settings 480p or 720pto avoid brakes.
The real basis of the series: consultants from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and filming
One of the main advantages of "Patrol" is documentary accuracy. The film crew worked closely with Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Sverdlovsk Region, and the following acted as consultants:
- 👮 Police Lieutenant Colonel Alexey N. (15 years in the teaching staff) - helped with arrest tactics.
- 🔫 Firefighting instructor Sergei K. — taught actors how to use weapons.
- 🚔 The driver of the patrol car, Dmitry L. — advised on traffic harassment.
A few facts about the filming:
- 🎥 90% of scenes filmed in real police stations and on the streets of Yekaterinburg (for example, square 1905 became the “center” of the fictional city).
- 🚗 Patrol cars - real Lada Vesta And Renault Duster, used by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and not fake ones.
- 💥 Shootout scene in the 5th episode was filmed with the participation of pyrotechnicians from Alpha Groups (blank cartridges and special effects were involved).
Interesting nuance: in the series no doubles are used for fight scenes, the actors performed all the stunts themselves after a month of preparation. For example, Alexander Petrov (Sergeant Kovalev) received a bruise during the filming of the arrest in episode 7, but the scene remained in the final edit.
What was the most dangerous scene?
In episode 10, the actor Ivan Yankovsky (Major Ryabov) had to jump from a moving car. Due to a stuntman's error, the car accelerated to 60 km/h instead of the planned 30 km/h. The actor escaped with bruises, but the scene was included in the series unchanged.
Reviews from critics and viewers: why “Patrol” is controversial
The series received polarized reviews: from enthusiastic to sharply negative. Here are the key points of criticism and praise:
| Pros (according to viewers) | Cons (complaints) |
|---|---|
| 🎯 Realistic depiction of police work (no “superheroes”) | 🩸Excessive cruelty (scenes of torture, murders without censorship) |
| 🎭 Strong acting (especially Nagiyev and Snigir) | 🌑 Too dark atmosphere (almost no humor) |
| 📜 Current social issues (corruption, domestic violence) | 🕵️ Some storylines remain undeveloped |
| 🎬 High level of production (camera work, sound) | 🗣 Dialogues sometimes sound too cinematic for a realistic series |
Film critics note that "Patrol" became the first Russian TV series, which boldly touches on the topics:
- 💊 Drug addiction among the police (Kovalyov’s storyline).
- 👮♂️ Generation Conflict in law enforcement agencies (young vs experienced officers).
- 🏛 Corruption at the top - hints at the connection between crime and officials.
On Kinopoisk The show's rating fluctuates around 7.2/10, and on IMDb — 6.8/10. At the same time the series became the most discussed project of March 2026 in the Russian-language segment of Twitter and Telegram, surpassing even “The Boy’s Word”.
The main paradox of “Patrol” is that it is praised for its realism, but it is this realism that repels some viewers who are accustomed to “smooth” detective stories.
Hidden details and Easter eggs: what you might have missed
The creators of "Patrol" hid a lot of references and easter eggs, which not everyone will notice the first time:
- 📌 Patrol car number —
E777KH(Episode 7). This is a reference to the real MIA car that was involved in the arrest of a serial killer in 2019. - 🎵 Music in the credits — cover of the song “Blood Type” (performed by Zemfira), which symbolizes the “blood type” of police officers who are ready to risk their lives.
- 📅 Dates in cases — in the documents on Sobolev’s desk (episode 4) it is indicated
12.06.2023- the day of the real hostage incident in Yekaterinburg. - 👕 Ani's T-shirt (episode 8) with the inscription “Policija"is a Latvian police uniform that the actress brought from the filming of another project.
Another interesting detail: in 1st series on the wall in the department hangs a photograph of a real General of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Alexander Romanovich, who oversaw police reform in the 2010s. This is not an accident - the creators wanted to emphasize the connection of the series with real events.
Attentive viewers also noticed that all the clocks in the frame show time divisible by 11 (11:11, 22:22, etc.). Director Ivan Vyrypaev confirmed that this is deliberate technique - a symbol of the fact that heroes are always “on the alert.”
Look at the car license plates|Pay attention to the dates in the documents|Listen to the music in the credits|Follow the clock in the frame|Look for logos of real departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs-->
Will there be a second season of Overwatch? Latest news
At the time of publication of this article (April 2026) There is no official announcement for the second season, but there are a few key points:
- 📈 Ratings: According to Mediascope, “Patrol” became the most watched series on KION over the past year (more than 5 million views per month).
- 💰 Budget: The first season cost ~300 million rubles, and investors (including Gazprom-media) are ready to invest in the continuation.
- 📜 Plot plots:
- Fate Sergeant Kovalev (arrested in the season 1 finale).
- Mysterious "Curator", mentioned in episode 12.
- Unfinished business about "Black Funnel".
According to the producer Alexei Trotsky, the decision on filming season 2 will be made before June 2026. If the project is extended, actions will unfold in six months after the events of season 1, and new faces may be added to the cast - e.g. Danila Kozlovsky for the role of prosecutor.
⚠️ Attention: There are rumors circulating online about spin-off about the anti-drug department, where he will play the main role Yulia Snigir. There is no official confirmation yet.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the series "Patrol"
🔍 How many episodes are in the first season of “Patrol”?
The first season consists of 16 episodes, each lasting 40–50 minutes. The final episode will air on April 19, 2026.
🎭 Why did Dmitry Nagiyev agree to the role in “Patrol”?
In an interview "To Kommersant" Nagiyev said that he was attracted the opportunity to play not a comedic, but a dramatic character. He also noted that the role of Sobolev was written for a real lieutenant colonel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with whom the actor met before filming.
🚔 Where was “Patrol” filmed? Is this a real city?
Principal photography took place in Yekaterinburg and Sverdlovsk region. The fictional city in the series is a mixture of Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Tagil and Pervouralsk. Some scenes were filmed in real police stations.
💥 Will there be scenes with real crimes in the series?
Yes, series 6 and 11 have episodes based on real criminal cases:
- 🔪 Murder in the Park (Episode 6) - a reference to the case of a serial killer from Chelyabinsk (2021).
- 💊 Drug laboratory (Episode 11) - based on the exposure of an underground workshop in the Sverdlovsk region (2022).
📺 When will “Patrol” be shown on TV?
The television premiere is scheduled for May 2026 on the channel TNT. However, the episodes will be shown in censored version (the most violent scenes and profanity will be removed).