Skabeeva Laments International Mockery of Russia

(MOSCOW, RUSSIA) – A leading Russian state television presenter has expressed visible distress over international mockery of Moscow, as a member of the State Duma acknowledged that Ukraine and its European allies refuse to believe the Kremlin’s nuclear threats, while admitting the front line has stalled under a swarm of drones.

On the programme “60 Minutes,” host Olga Skabeeva reacted to a Pentagon inspector general report presented to the United States Congress, which assessed that negotiations on Ukraine were at a dead end. The report also concluded that the offensive potential of the Armed Forces of Russia had been paralysed, rendering Moscow incapable of strategic offensive operations, whilst noting that Ukraine retains strategic and operational advantage.

State Duma member Alexey Zhuravlyov seized upon the assessment, stating, “They have made a decision to wear us down with their attacks and, honestly, they are making fairly successful efforts with the whole of Europe as though they have shipped off UAVs.” He conceded that “our strength is also seemingly diminishing.”

Zhuravlyov admitted the battlefield had become static due to the proliferation of drones. When it was put to him that Ukrainian tactics were preventing Russian advances, he countered, “That is not so,” but then acknowledged, “We are attacking tactically now.” He further conceded, “Over the entire time of the special military operation, not a single strategic army operation has been conducted. Not a single one.”

The lawmaker argued that just one strategic army operation could radically alter the situation, but when pressed on why such an operation had not been launched, he responded, “It is not simple. Did I say it was simple? It is not simple, but it is possible. For this, a political decision is simply needed, and it will come, because we have no other option. Otherwise we will wait until Europe is dragged into the war on Ukraine’s side, and then it will be a completely different war.”

The discussion also touched upon diplomatic developments, with both hosts remarking on what they described as an unprecedented sequence of visits by the American leader to Beijing followed immediately by a visit from the Russian dictator.

Zhuravlyov framed this as a potential opening, saying, “This provides a window of opportunity and hope that an agreement can be reached. We are adults and understand that this is not about love but about mutually beneficial cooperation. We have nowhere in particular to sell gas, and they have nowhere in particular to buy it. We find each other, and this is genuinely beneficial for both countries.”

The State Duma member accused Ukraine and Europe of pushing the world towards global conflict. “There is no need to live in illusions that we will somehow stop. The worst thing is that they do not believe that we could actually use, not just strategic, but tactical nuclear munitions. They are told this directly, yet they persist and refuse to believe it,” Zhuravlyov stated.

Skabeeva highlighted a Ukrainian assessment that at the current pace of Russian advances, the liberation of Donbas would take 33 years. She reacted with derision, saying, “Let them laugh. He who laughs last laughs longest, that is a fact.” Zhuravlyov added, “53 countries are against us and their drones. It is very hard. You can bomb cities as much as you like, any country, but the point is that this war will never be won until our soldier’s boot stands there.”

The footage was broadcast on the Russian state television channel and translated by Russian Media Monitor.