Latest news with #SolovyovLive
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Baby Trump and Musk feature in Russian propaganda cartoon for toddlers
Baby-faced versions of Donald Trump and Elon Musk feature in a new Russian propaganda cartoon for toddlers. Animated characters of the US president and the Doge boss are to appear in a new children's television show on geopolitics launched by one of Russia's most infamous propaganda agents. Called Sandpit, the show is designed to 'instil patriotism from an early age' and teach Russian pre-school children to 'discuss geopolitics', according to Vladimir Solovyov, the cartoon's creator. Mr Solovyov has been sanctioned by the European Union and Britain for spreading disinformation that undermines Ukraine's sovereignty. A trailer for the show features animated versions of Mr Trump alongside Mr Musk, Vladimir Putin, Emmanuel Macron, Kim Jong-un and Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, all as children, meeting on a video call. While Mr Trump is depicted in his trademark navy suit and a red tie with cockatiel blonde hair, Putin is wearing a white judo outfit, a sport in which he has a black belt, and is seen staring at a black toy ship – possibly representing his Black Sea fleet. Mr Musk, meanwhile, is pictured playing with a toy Tesla Cybertruck, while Kim clings tightly to a model rocket, in a nod to his military ambitions. In the 30-second trailer, released on Telegram, Kim suggests that Mr Macron should not be allowed to hang out with the other leaders on a holiday in Istanbul because 'you are always with your granny', in a nod to the French president's wife, Brigitte, who is 25 years his senior. After Mr Trump enquires why they are speaking on a Russian video platform, Putin replies: 'Because your Skype is dead, that's why.' Microsoft closed down the former video-conferencing platform earlier this month. Beneath their screens, the world leaders are represented by a string of avatars. Mr Trump is depicted as the pope, blessing worshippers, in reference to Mr Trump sharing an image of himself as the pontiff in the wake of Pope Francis's death. Putin's avatar is a bear wearing a Russian hat with a red star, while Kim is depicted as a mushroom cloud. SolovyovLive, Mr Solovyov's production company which financed the project, called the show 'an ambitious step into the future, where political awareness starts in infancy. The new studio from the SolovyovLive team opens the door to the world of big politics for young audiences.' 'Where else can kids discuss geopolitics with the same ease as conflicts over a shovel in the sand?' it said. '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.' The release of the show comes amid a renewed push by the Kremlin to impress Putin's world view on schoolchildren. In January, history textbooks were released likening Russia's war effort in Ukraine to the Soviet struggle against the Nazis and claimed the invasion was 'a question of life and death, the question of our historic future as a people'. A Russian drone manufacturer with links to Putin's daughter this week published the country's first textbook on operating drones, as the Kremlin pushes to train one million drone operators by 2030. Mr Solovyov has been condemned by Ukrainian authorities for spreading pro-Russian propaganda since Putin's full-scale invasion. The Russian television presenter has claimed Ukrainians 'serve Satan' and are ruled by 'fascists'. He has also falsely claimed British intelligence services staged the 2022 massacre of Ukrainian civilians in Bucha, alleging they chose the town because its name sounds like 'butcher'. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
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.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russian Lawmaker Predicted the Trump-Vance Ambush of Zelensky
The disgraceful spectacle of President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance taking turns insulting the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky during a White House meeting on Friday was a welcome sight for pro-Kremlin propagandists in Moscow. They've described it as an ambush, designed as a way for America to part ways with Ukraine—and they couldn't be happier with the way this setup played out. Appearing on Friday's breaking news broadcast on channel Solovyov Live, political scientist Alexander Voskoboinikov noted that Trump 'simply lured [Zelensky] to the White House for this meeting. I can't explain it any other way. What happened there was a pre-planned operation that was meant to show the whole world that Americans are getting out of this situation. At least, this is what they are demonstrating.' Host Sergey Karnaukhov giddily described these events as 'incredible,' his voice trembling with excitement. He said, 'Zelensky got what he deserved. This is his fate. The trial of history started before our very eyes.' At the conclusion of the broadcast, the channel aired a new crowdfunded commercial that began broadcasting in late February. It started with the words, 'We are one step away from victory. This is the moment of truth… It's now or never.' One day earlier, Zelensky's Oval Office ambush was predicted by State Duma member Oleg Morozov on 60 Minutes, a state TV show. Morozov said that the meeting would be a lesson in humiliation, designed to condition Zelensky to capitulate to the United States—and later to Russia. The lawmaker said that the Ukrainian president was flying to America 'to sign an act of capitulation,' referring to the rare earth mineral deal Trump was determined to get as a 'payback' for previous aid to Ukraine. Describing Trump as Zelensky's 'Daddy,' Morozov predicted, 'They will rub his nose into everything, like a messy puppy… Then he will sign whatever he is told to sign.' Host Evgeny Popov chimed in, 'But first, Daddy will flog him.' During the same show, Vitaly Tretyakov, Dean of the Higher School of Television at Moscow's State University, praised Trump by explaining, 'I really like what he is doing right now… I like his revolutionary approach… He did our job for us that we did not dare to do.' Popov pointed out that Trump is strangling America's friends and allies. Tretyakov noted, 'He is pursuing policies that are beneficial for Russia.' He surmised, 'With respect to Ukraine, he is ready to give Russia everything it wants to take.' Russian experts and pundits repeatedly articulated that Moscow isn't seeking peace but instead wants to conquer as much of Ukraine as possible. They've explained that getting Zelensky out of the way is essential to achieve the Kremlin's goal of subjugating its neighbor. The Trump administration's aim of forcing Ukraine into signing over its mineral rights played straight into the hands of the Russian propagandists. They openly expressed their intent to use the one-sided deal to besmirch Zelensky as an 'illegitimate' president who agreed to sign away Ukraine's future, effectively turning generations of Ukrainians into indentured servants of the United States—all without obtaining any security guarantees. Trump's commentary about the urgent need for a wartime election was said to be a result of Vladimir Putin's conversations with the American president and his special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Top Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov said that the views of the Trump administration are in total alignment with the way things look from Moscow—and Friday's debacle confirmed this yet again.
