Russian State TV Says Nuclear Strike Would Turn US Into 'Waterworld'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
In a provocative remark on Russian state television, Vladimir Solovyov, host of The Evening With Vladimir Solovyov, warned that a Russian nuclear strike could transform the United States into a post-apocalyptic landscape reminiscent of the 1995 film Waterworld.
Newsweek contacted the Russian press office and the U.S. State Department for comment on Friday via email and online form, respectively.
Why It Matters
The comment was made in response to recent remarks by Republican U.S. Senator John Kennedy, who had described Russian President Vladimir Putin as deserving to be turned into "fish food."
As reported by Newsweek, Kennedy leveled harsh criticism at Putin, accusing him of failing to approach peace talks with seriousness in an interview with Fox News.
The ship docks in a scene from the post-apocalyptic film 'Waterworld', 1995. In response to remarks by Senator John Kennedy criticizing President Putin, Russian state TV have said a nuclear strike would turn the U.S....
The ship docks in a scene from the post-apocalyptic film 'Waterworld', 1995. In response to remarks by Senator John Kennedy criticizing President Putin, Russian state TV have said a nuclear strike would turn the U.S. into 'Waterworld'. More
Universal/"I think he thinks we're afraid of him," the Louisiana senator said of the Russian leader. "He has jacked around President Trump at every turn. He has disrespected our president [...] "I don't think it's going to get any better until we make it clear to Mr. Putin that we are willing to turn him and his country into fish food."
Solovyov angry tirade marks the latest esclation of Kremlin media's increasingly sour coverage of the Trump administration and its allies, as peace talks between Moscow, Kyiv and Washington appear to be approaching a dead end.
What To Know
Solovyov, known for his fiery rhetoric and staunch support of the Kremlin, took the opportunity to escalate tensions. In a video posted to Russian Media Monitor's YouTube and creator Julia Davis' X, formerly Twitter, account online, Solovyov said:
"I don't want to listen to mumbling Senator Kennedy but this cretin said that they are ready to turn our president and his country meaning ours, into fish food. He said that he isn't talking about nuclear war: 'We should stop the oil sales, we should put pressure on Russia and suffocate it, otherwise they won't sit at the negotiating table.'
"Listen... the fish food approach can be utilised any moment, thanks to the greatness of a famous human rights champion, a talented engineer and a physicist, and an Academic, a recipient of endless awards. And a three-time hero of socialist labour, I think. His name was Andrei Sakharov.
"In his time, academic Sakharov proposed the following, our colleagues know this, but since Trump and his comrades are watching and translating us, I will explain it for their sake. He proposed a plan to blow up two nukes [...], hydrogen bombs, either way they are thermonuclear, blow them up near the two coasts of the United States.
"The oncoming wave of a radioactive tsunami will turn the United States into sort of a Waterworld, as it was later depicted by Hollywood. The strait that would be created in the process would be named in honor of comrade Stalin."
What People Are Saying
Journalist Julia Davis on X: Meanwhile in Russia: Vladimir Solovyov asserted that Trump can't tell Putin what to do, raged against Senator John Kennedy and threatened the United States with nuclear strikes that would turn it into "Waterworld."
Solovyov's statements seem unsurprising to those familiar with his history of nuclear threats and inflammatory rhetoric.
In a statement to Newsweek on Friday, Keir Giles, senior consulting fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at international research institute Chatham House said:
"Solovyov doing his tired old nuclear comedy routine again is nothing to write home about. Western media giving this attention, as though it's something new and significant, isn't particularly helpful – especially when most people have long ago stopped paying attention to the nuclear bluster from Russia's propagandists because they know that's a very different matter from the Kremlin and the Russian military talking about something they might actually do."
What Happens Next
Solovyov's television program remains one of the most watched and controversial in Russia, known for its aggressive nationalistic stance and its portrayal of Russia as a global power confronting the West.
Solovyov's remarks reflect ongoing tensions between Russia and Western countries, as diplomatic relations continue to deteriorate in the wake of Russia's military actions in Ukraine.
Solovyov is yet to react to Donald Trump's latest comment touting critical US role in defeating Nazi Germany in WWII, a remark that sparked a backlash among US allies that also fought in the war.
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