(MOSCOW) – Russian state media personality Vladimir Solovyov has expressed significant concern regarding the restricted access of Russian forces to Starlink satellite internet terminals. During his radio programme, Full Contact, the broadcaster admitted that Russian units had previously relied on “grey schemes” to procure the technology developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Solovyov claimed that at certain stages of the invasion, Russian forces possessed substantially more terminals than the Ukrainian military, but acknowledged that new registration requirements in Ukraine have caused widespread frustration within the Russian ranks.
The loss of reliable communication has prompted the commentator to label corporations such as SpaceX and Palantir as direct enemies of the state. Solovyov stated that Russia must move beyond the “worn out shoes” of Soviet era space achievements, specifically referencing Sergei Korolev, to develop independent technologies. He suggested that while Chinese alternatives might offer a partial solution, the Russian military must now prepare for a total lack of access to foreign hardware. The loss of these services is expected to result in a financial deficit for Musk, as Solovyov asserted that Russia had previously been paying for the service through various channels.
The discussion quickly shifted toward extreme military measures, with Solovyov and guest weatherman Evgeny Tishkovets advocating for the use of tactical nuclear weapons. Solovyov argued that Russia is fighting with “one hand behind its back” and should utilise its nuclear arsenal to destroy bridges over the Dnipro River and create “contaminated zones” to block Western entry into Ukraine. He further suggested that the Russian military should adopt “traditional Soviet methods” of assassination, questioning why more Ukrainian generals have not been liquidated in response to Russian casualties.
In a direct threat to the Ukrainian capital, Solovyov claimed that Kyiv could be captured within three days if the military were willing to leave the city in ruins. He dismissed concerns regarding civilian casualties, stating that he would prefer to see Kyiv destroyed than Russian occupied territories. Weatherman Tishkovets provided a meteorological analysis of a potential nuclear strike, noting that if weapons were deployed within twenty four hours, radioactive fallout would be carried by prevailing winds toward Poland, Germany, Belgium, and eventually the British Isles. Both speakers concluded that such an escalation would terminate “five hundred years of Western yoke,” prioritising international fear of Russia over diplomatic relations.
