Latest news with #Solovyov
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Putin Ally Says Ukraine Operation ‘Grounds for Nuclear Attack'
Ukraine's audacious targeting of major Russian airbases is "grounds for a nuclear attack," a prominent Kremlin propagandist and ally of Russia's President Vladimir Putin has said. Ukraine launched simultaneous attacks on multiple Russian airfields on Sunday in an operation dubbed "Spiderweb," which Kyiv officials said was more than a year and a half in the making. Ukraine's SBU security service said it had struck four major Russian air bases, largely housing the country's long-range aviation fleet used to carry out extensive strikes on Ukraine and capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Russia has the world's largest nuclear arsenal, made up of strategic weapons designed to target distant cities and tactical, or nonstrategic, weapons. These are also known as tactical nuclear weapons, designed to be less destructive. Russia's government reported attacks on five bases including the Ukrainka long-range hub in the far eastern Amur region, which Kyiv did not explicitly mention and declined to clarify when approached for comment. The region's governor said part of a truck had "caught fire" close to the village of Seryshevo, but denied the Ukrainka air base was targeted by drones. The Ukrainka base sits just outside of Seryshevo, and Ukraine said the drones were smuggled over the border into Russia and mounted on trucks with removable roofs. While the purported damage may not halt Russia's extensive aerial campaigns against Ukraine, the strikes have left a painful dent in a branch of the Russian military that had been largely unscathed by more than three years of war in Ukraine. It is likely Russia will retaliate with significant force, former SBU officer Ivan Stupak previously told Newsweek. The strikes came ahead of a second round of peace talks in Istanbul on Monday, which failed to yield concrete progress toward a deal but did produce a new agreement on prisoner swaps. Sunday's coordinated attacks are "grounds for a nuclear attack," Vladimir Solovyov, one of Russia's most well-known propagandists and state commentators, said in remarks reported by Ukrainian media. The TV presenter has repeatedly pushed nuclear weapons into Russian discourse around the more than three years of war in Ukraine, and has floated the idea of a nuclear strike on NATO countries. Shortly after Ukraine launched an incursion across the border into Russia's Kursk region in August 2024, Solovyov claimed the Kremlin had the "basis to start a nuclear war." Putin placed the country's nuclear deterrence forces on high alert as Moscow's forces invaded Ukraine in early 2022, and the Kremlin's veteran Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said a few months later that the risks of nuclear conflict had become "considerable." Moscow updated its nuclear doctrine in November 2024 to justify a nuclear strike in response to an attack on Russia by a nonnuclear country if they are backed by a nuclear-armed nation. Solovyov also called for the Russian soldiers who filmed the aftermath of Sunday's attacks to be executed, according to a translation published by the Russian Media Monitor project, run by journalist Julia Davis. In an ominous statement penned to "all who are worried and waiting for retribution," Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's former president and the current deputy chairman of the country's security council, said on Tuesday: "You need to worry." "Retribution is inevitable," he added in a post to messaging app Telegram. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky—who had deemed the operation "brilliant"—said on Monday that "no one cares whether Russia is angry," adding Moscow had launched a "massive overnight attack" on Ukraine into the early hours of Sunday. Ukraine's air force said at the time that Russia had fired 472 attack drones, three hard-to-intercept ballistic missiles and four cruise missiles at the country between Saturday evening and early Sunday. Early on Tuesday, Zelensky said Russia had launched a "savage" rocket artillery strike on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy overnight. Local authorities said at least three people had been killed and more than 20 injured. Russia's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday it had attacked Ukrainian troops in villages northeast of the city of Sumy and captured the village of Andriivka. This could not be independently verified. The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) think tank said on Monday that Moscow has upped its ground attacks around Andriivka. Russia is "intensifying efforts to widen the frontline" in the north of Sumy, to the north and northeast of the regional capital, the think tank added. Solovyov separately said it was "clear that there will be an escalation" after the strikes, but it would be up to Russia's leadership to "determine the scale of it." Related Articles Zelensky Issues Warning to Europe Over Russia's Belarus 'Planning'Satellite Photos Show Russia's Extremely Rare A-50 Radar Plane HitCrimea Bridge Hit by ExplosionAre the Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Going Anywhere? | Opinion 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Putin's propagandists call for nuclear bomb to be exploded over London
Russian propagandists have threatened to usher in WW3 by calling for a massive nuclear attack to devastate London in order to teach "scoundrels" living in Britain a lesson Propagandists paid by Vladimir Putin to threaten the world have called for exploding a nuclear bomb over London. The "test" would aim to cripple the British capital and "the lights will go out like in Spain," said the Russian state TV propaganda show. Putin's TV warriors claimed that the dictator had protested in his phone call to Donald Trump over Ukraine targeting British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles and multiple drones at Moscow as foreign dignitaries arrived to attend a major military parade marking the end of the Second World War. Yet the claim is wrong - the range of Storm Shadow missiles supplied to Ukraine is insufficient to reach Moscow from Ukrainian territory. The blaming of Britain was started by long standing Putin aide Yury Ushakov as he spoke to the media about the call with Trump. 'Our president emphasised the importance of the recent anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War [Second World War] and recalled that Russia had announced a three-day ceasefire ahead of the celebration,' he said. "After that, in the early morning hours….Ukraine launched 524 drones and Storm Shadow missiles at Russia, most of which were aimed at Moscow. Practically all of them were downed." Putin also told Trump about a supposed foiled terror plot near the Kremlin and Red Square, he alleged. In the propaganda TV broadcast, Putin's leading propagandist Vladimir Solovyov said nuclear targets included London - as well as Finland and Sweden. " was the statement of our president [ Vladimir Putin ],' said pro-Putin war fanatic and propagandist Igor Marko,: evidently referring to Ushakov's remarks. There were Storm Shadow, British missiles flying at Moscow [on 7 May]." This amounted to a 'declaration of war' by Britain, he claimed. Solovyov said: 'That's why I say [we should target] London.' Markov asked: 'British planning, British missiles, an attack on Moscow. How long are we going to put up with these scoundrels?' Solovyov said the nuclear missile flight time to London from Russia's testing ground at Kapustin Yar was between ten and eleven minutes. He said rather than the 'cruelty' of a tidal wave-causing atomic explosion that would drown Britain, there should be 'a demonstration nuclear explosion over London'. This would disable all essential services with a powerful electromagnetic storm. Solovyov rambled about Britain being a 'miserable state of people without chins, swampy.' The closest distance from Ukraine to Moscow is around 310 miles. But the range of Storm Shadow and equivalent French variant SCALP-EG missiles supplied to Kyiv is around 155 miles. This is not the first time Russian propagandists have threatened the UK, with Solovyov and his nodding goons previously revelling in ushering in mass destruction across the UK and other parts of Europe.
Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Russian State TV Launches Patriotic Kids Show Featuring Toddler Trump
Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov is launching a children's show featuring animated toddler versions of world leaders—including President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un—which he claims will instil patriotism in young viewers from an early age. Solovyov, a prominent Russian state TV host and close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, announced show's debut on social media Wednesday. The show will air on Russian state TV and will therefore mirror the Kremlin's talking points and agenda. Solovyov himself is known for his hawkish views of the West and for repeatedly threatening that Russia could strike NATO member states. Solovyov, one of the most prominent figures in Kremlin-backed media, announced the launch of the kids show on his Telegram channel on Wednesday, describing it as "an ambitious step into the future, where political awareness starts in infancy." It "opens the door to the world of big politics for young audiences," the propagandist said. The show, he said, is "not just a program, it is a master class on the current agenda in a format understandable to children." "Where else can kids discuss geopolitics with the same ease as conflicts over a shovel in the sand?" he wrote. "SolovyovKids is when patriotism is instilled from an early age, and analytical thinking develops even before first grade. It's time to rethink children's television." Solovyov's announcement was accompanied by an animated video in which characters resembling the toddler versions of world leaders, including Putin, Trump, Kim, French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, participate in a group video call. The clip also features a baby version of SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, seen playing with a toy Cybertruck—one of Tesla's flagship vehicles. In the animation, mini Erdogan invites the group to "vacation in Istanbul," while toddler Macron is told that he will not be invited because he is "always with his grandmother"—a thinly veiled jab at Macron's wife, who is 24 years his senior. BBC journalist Francis Scarr posted the video on X (formerly Twitter), writing: "Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov's SolovyovLive project says it is launching SolovyovKids, a children's propaganda TV service where 'patriotism is instilled from an early age, and analytical thinking develops even before the first year at school.'" X user Tetiana wrote: "Solovyov launched SolovyovKids — because why wait till adulthood to rot your brain? First show is "Pesochnitsa"(Sandbox): cartoon putin cracks jokes, Kim Jong-un dunks on Macron. It's like day care in North Korea with russian flavor." It's unclear when the new show will launch on Russian state TV. Related Articles Trump Undercuts Ukraine Istanbul Talks Before They Even StartRussia Mocks Zelensky Over Putin No-Show: 'Pathetic Loser'Trump: I'd Still Go to Turkey for Russia-Ukraine Talks if AppropriatePutin Swerves Zelensky Turkey Summit, Sends Low-Level Delegates 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Russian State TV Launches Patriotic Kids Show Featuring Toddler Trump
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. Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov is launching a children's show featuring animated toddler versions of world leaders—including President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un—which he claims will instil patriotism in young viewers from an early age. Solovyov, a prominent Russian state TV host and close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, announced show's debut on social media Wednesday. Why It Matters The show will air on Russian state TV and will therefore mirror the Kremlin's talking points and agenda. Solovyov himself is known for his hawkish views of the West and for repeatedly threatening that Russia could strike NATO member states. What To Know Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov's SolovyovLive project says it is launching SolovyovKids, a children's propaganda TV service where "patriotism is instilled from an early age, and analytical thinking develops even before the first year at school" — Francis Scarr (@francis_scarr) May 15, 2025 Solovyov, one of the most prominent figures in Kremlin-backed media, announced the launch of the kids show on his Telegram channel on Wednesday, describing it as "an ambitious step into the future, where political awareness starts in infancy." It "opens the door to the world of big politics for young audiences," the propagandist said. The show, he said, is "not just a program, it is a master class on the current agenda in a format understandable to children." "Where else can kids discuss geopolitics with the same ease as conflicts over a shovel in the sand?" he wrote. "SolovyovKids is when patriotism is instilled from an early age, and analytical thinking develops even before first grade. It's time to rethink children's television." Solovyov's announcement was accompanied by an animated video in which characters resembling the toddler versions of world leaders, including Putin, Trump, Kim, French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, participate in a group video call. The clip also features a baby version of SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, seen playing with a toy Cybertruck—one of Tesla's flagship vehicles. In the animation, mini Erdogan invites the group to "vacation in Istanbul," while toddler Macron is told that he will not be invited because he is "always with his grandmother"—a thinly veiled jab at Macron's wife, who is 24 years his senior. What People Are Saying BBC journalist Francis Scarr posted the video on X (formerly Twitter), writing: "Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov's SolovyovLive project says it is launching SolovyovKids, a children's propaganda TV service where 'patriotism is instilled from an early age, and analytical thinking develops even before the first year at school.'" X user Tetiana wrote: "Solovyov launched SolovyovKids — because why wait till adulthood to rot your brain? First show is "Pesochnitsa"(Sandbox): cartoon putin cracks jokes, Kim Jong-un dunks on Macron. It's like day care in North Korea with russian flavor." What Happens Next It's unclear when the new show will launch on Russian state TV.
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Russia says 'British blood must be spilled' in horror WW3 warning
The UK has been accused of supplying explosives used in a string of high-profile assassinations inside Russia by Vladimir Putin's propaganda machine. In a chilling broadcast, Russian state television issued a threat that 'British blood must be spilled' in retaliation, reports the Express. The claims were aired on Kremlin-controlled media, where government-aligned commentators directly blamed British intelligence services for orchestrating the killings of senior Russian military figures, including two generals. Despite offering no concrete evidence, the broadcast delivered an ominous warning of revenge against the UK. One of the featured incidents was the recent killing of Major-General Yaroslav Moskalik, 59, who was reportedly killed by a car bomb as he passed a Volkswagen Golf near his home in Moscow. Moskalik, a key military planner known to have briefed Putin on operations in Crimea, was portrayed as a significant target. The programme also referenced the death of Lieutenant-General Igor Kirillov, 54 — a specialist in chemical and biological warfare who was killed in a bombing in December — as well as Yevgeny Rytikov, 34, an expert in electronic warfare who was assassinated earlier this month in Bryansk. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared to acknowledge Ukraine's involvement in these operations. Speaking earlier in the week, he confirmed that his intelligence chief kept him updated on 'the liquidation of individuals from the top command of the Russian armed forces,' adding tersely: 'Thank you for your work.' On the prominent state channel Russia-1, pro-Kremlin host Vladimir Solovyov singled out Britain as the source of the explosives used in these attacks. During a discussion with munitions expert and former senator Andrei Klintsevich, Solovyov questioned the origin of the materials. Klintsevich claimed — again without presenting evidence — that the explosives were "entirely British, imported by the ton." He suggested a covert network was responsible for transporting and planting the devices across Russia. Solovyov followed up with speculation about explosives being smuggled out of European warehouses and then issued a stark threat: "When we say British intelligence is behind every terrorist attack, we mean British blood must be spilled in return. They must understand they will pay personally. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.' Klintsevich asserted that explosive batches could be traced through their unique markings, claiming Russian intelligence likely already knows their precise origin — including the factory and year of manufacture. Solovyov closed the segment with a threat directed at British intelligence, stating: 'If those factories are blown up — along with the headquarters of the agencies behind these attacks — they should not be surprised.' The UK government has yet to respond formally. However, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced sanctions in October 2024 against three Russian entities and three senior officials involved in disinformation efforts aimed at undermining Ukraine's democracy. At the time, Lammy condemned the Kremlin's actions, saying: 'Putin is so desperate to weaken European backing for Ukraine that he's turning to crude, ineffective disinformation campaigns.' He reaffirmed the UK's commitment to countering such tactics. Previously, at the UN General Assembly Committee on Information in May 2022, UK Ambassador James Roscoe had also denounced Russia's hostile propaganda efforts, warning that they threatened to erode global trust in both the media and international institutions.
