(MOSCOW) – A recent episode of the Russian radio programme Full Contact, hosted by Kremlin-aligned broadcaster Vladimir Solovyov and featuring regular contributor and weather forecaster Evgeny Tishkovets, descended into frustration after the panel reacted to comments by United States leader Donald Trump, who criticised Russia’s military performance and described it as ineffective.
Trump’s remarks, including a reference to Russia as a “paper tiger” and claims of stalled offensives, triggered a defensive response from Solovyov and his guests. Although they dismissed some of the statements as offensive, several panellists acknowledged that parts of Trump’s assessment aligned with domestic concerns.
One speaker admitted that Russians themselves had repeatedly complained about fuel shortages and long queues at petrol stations. He questioned why, despite constant restrictions on mobile internet, flight suspensions and frequent air defence alerts, Ukrainian drones and missiles continued to strike Russian oil refineries.
The discussion then shifted to battlefield claims made by Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who recently stated that his forces had liberated large areas and encircled Russian troops. The panellists rejected the claims as false but conceded that such messaging would persist unless Russia achieved clear military victories.