Vladimir Solovyov says he insults women out of respect

(MOSCOW, RUSSIA) – A prominent Russian state television and radio host has launched an unhinged tirade threatening Ukrainians with death and advocating for nuclear strikes against European military infrastructure, days after the Kremlin was forced to acknowledge a public relations crisis triggered by a former reality television star.

Vladimir Solovyov, a veteran Kremlin propagandist, dedicated a significant portion of his “Full Contact” radio programme to attacking Victoria Bonya, a Russian socialite and former presenter, for a recent online video in which she stated that “people are afraid” of the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Solovyov, who frequently uses his platform to issue violent threats against Moscow’s enemies, claimed his habit of insulting women was a form of respect, citing the principle of equality.

“You advocate for equal rights for women. If it is possible to be rude to men, then it is probably also possible to be rude to women,” Solovyov reasoned, attempting to justify misogynistic language during the broadcast alongside weatherman Evgeny Tishkovets and US correspondent Valentin Bogdanov.

The immediate cause of Solovyov’s fury was a statement by Bonya that the Kremlin itself confirmed it had “noticed.” Solovyov asserted the entire performance was a Western media operation designed around a single phrase. “People are afraid of you. Why was this done? This is the narrative that is repeatedly repeated later by the Western media,” Solovyov stated. He argued the phrase “people are afraid of you” undermines the Russian dictator by suggesting he is “not a representative of the people’s interests, a national leader, but the most popular politician in Russia.”

The broadcast quickly descended into direct threats against Ukrainians. Responding to a critical message from a listener identified as Sergei, Solovyov, who claims protected status, boasted of his marksmanship. “I am a protected object. Try something, and we will waste you. I shoot very well. I am a master of sports in practical shooting,” he threatened. He added: “Let the Banderites look over their shoulders. I despise and hate you Nazis. And as long as I live, I will crush you scum.”

Escalating his rhetoric to nuclear brinkmanship, Solovyov pivoted to a meteorological discussion with weatherman Evgeny Tishkovets about the west-to-east movement of air masses. Tishkovets suggested “favourable windows” exist for radiation to move from east to west. Solovyov stated: “I absolutely support the point of view that it is necessary to go up the escalation ladder, but not from their side, but from our side, in order to eliminate this fascist evil, including not only on the territory of Ukraine, but also on the territory of Europe, and to launch nuclear strikes on the military industrial complex of Europe, which is only growing with each passing month. This is a big war.”