Russian parliament member calls for nuclear strike on Ukraine
Photo: Russian State Duma Deputy Alexei Zhuravlyov (Kommersant)
In Russia, public calls for the use of nuclear weapons in the war against Ukraine have once again been heard. This time, the statement came from State Duma deputy and leader of the Rodina party, Alexei Zhuravlyov, who frequently appears on Russian propaganda talk shows, according to The Moscow Times.
Zhuravlyov states that Russia must allegedly launch a strike that would force Ukraine to surrender. According to the Russian State Duma deputy, there should be no debate in Russia at all regarding the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine.
"There are discussions: can we use tactical nuclear weapons (against Ukraine—ed.), or can’t we? Listen, there shouldn't even be such a debate! If necessary, we are obligated to use them… If we have to strike, we will strike. And that's not up for discussion," he says.
Russian State Duma deputy Zhuravlyov
A notorious Russian propaganda figure who is a regular on Solovyov and Skabeeva's talk shows. He prides himself on being the poorest deputy in Russia. However, according to the agency Verstka, he hides his wealth by transferring it to a secret wife with whom he has two children. The list includes numerous luxury properties and cars.
Escalation possibility
Zhuravlyov's statement came amid reports of possible further steps by the Kremlin in the war against Ukraine. Earlier, Bloomberg sources close to the Kremlin reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin was allegedly preparing for an escalation and may be considering tactical nuclear weapons as a last resort to prevent defeat in the war.
At the same time, Bloomberg emphasizes that there are no signs that Putin is preparing to use nuclear weapons. According to the agency, Russia's partners, particularly China, are also opposed to such a move.
Context
Zhuravlyov's call for devastating strikes against Ukraine and its civilian population is far from the first among the ranks of Russian propaganda-spreading lawmakers. Earlier, State Duma Deputy Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy publicly called for open strikes on Ukrainian cities to demoralize the population and force Ukrainians to surrender.
Lawmaker and General Andrei Gurulyov called for "striking the enemy mercilessly, without hesitation", while Russian Senator Andrei Kolesnik spoke of the need to "constantly strike them so that they cannot even lift their heads."
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov complained to the Vatican about the Ukrainians, but was unable to achieve anything.
