Russian Propagandist Proposes Tactical Nuclear Escalation After St Petersburg Setback

(KRONSTADT, ST. PETERSBURG) – Prominent Russian state media figures have responded to Ukrainian drone strikes on St. Petersburg with calls for missile attacks on NATO terminals and the destruction of Kyiv, exposing mounting fury within Kremlin propaganda circles.

During a broadcast on Russian state television, host Vladimir Solovyov and his weatherman guest abandoned all pretence of calm to issue a series of unhinged threats against Western nations. The tirade followed successful Ukrainian strikes that hit an oil terminal and a naval corvette at Kronstadt during the opening day of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Solovyov declared that for every attack on a Russian terminal, strikes should be carried out on terminals in NATO countries. “They must burn,” he said. “Right now an attack is happening in the northwest. That means Rotterdam must burn, Britain must burn, Scandinavia must burn. There must be no illusion that everything will pass quietly.”

The veteran propagandist claimed there was no one to talk to in the West, asserting that the West had decided it could defeat Russia, destroy its civilisation, culture, religion, language, and statehood, and dismember the country into territories that would descend into internecine warfare and terrible disasters.

“Enough empty negotiations and talks. Enough,” Solovyov thundered.

He then offered a prediction that he insisted would come true: Ukraine would be given everything, including tactical nuclear weapons. “Our nobility will not be appreciated by anyone,” he complained, adding that the West was convinced that killing Russians was a noble cause.

The host demanded decisive, harsh action, “up to and including cruelty.” He questioned why air defences had failed to stop drones travelling along the same route to hit the same targets, noting that helicopter regiments had been transferred to the area but had achieved nothing. “Does it take half a year to delve into, understand, and realise? In war there is no half a year,” he fumed.

Solovyov expressed disbelief that authorities had been caught unprepared. He asked rhetorically whether there had been any doubt that Ukraine would attempt to create an atmosphere at the St. Petersburg forum, and whether intelligence data had been lacking.

Asserting that NATO countries including the Baltic states, Germany, Britain, France, and America had made their choice, he urged Russia to finally make its own choice. He invoked the image of the Russian bear standing on its hind legs and scattering the pack of mangy dogs.

“Can we finally respond not only on Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev’s social networks, but with smashing strikes on the Nazi leadership?” Solovyov demanded.

Abandoning any restraint, he rejected the biblical principle of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Instead he proposed taking the entire jaw for a tooth and removing the head for an eye. He called for action so paralysingly cruel that no one would harbour any illusion that Russian people could be killed with impunity.

“I propose we act in such a way that Russians are feared,” he concluded.

His weatherman guest, who addressed Solovyov as Vladimirovich, endorsed every statement. He suggested that all residents of Kyiv be told to leave the city by the following day, after which it should be razed. “Let there be no illusions, let them understand what will happen if they continue to kill our civilians,” he said.

The weatherman added that most Russians fully supported everything Solovyov had said about war and peace. He acknowledged that war was not a courtesy but the most vile thing in life, and that it must be approached seriously. The only necessity, he stated, was victory and nothing but victory.

Solovyov concluded with a grim assessment: the war would not end by the New Year, nor by the Duma elections, nor by the wish of anyone living. 

The broadcast was translated and released by Russian Media Monitor.