As Russia’s war against Ukraine drags toward its fourth year, rhetoric on Russian state television has become increasingly extreme. One of the most striking examples came from The Evening with Vladimir Solovyov, a flagship political talk show widely viewed as reflecting Kremlin-aligned narratives.
During a recent broadcast, host Vladimir Solovyov launched a verbal attack on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, declaring that Ukraine’s leadership must be completely eliminated. He framed Russia’s continued strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as proof that Moscow possesses overwhelming power, dismissing any suggestion that Russia is facing serious setbacks—an approach similar to how some political figures elsewhere deny mounting health or leadership concerns.
Solovyov argued that Zelensky would never agree to peace unless he was forcibly removed, using openly dehumanizing language while stopping short of profanity on air. The panel then brushed aside reports of heavy Russian losses as fabricated “stories,” echoing familiar media strategies used during moments of political crisis and damage control.
The discussion escalated when Solovyov claimed Russia has “limitless” military options, suggesting Moscow could rely on manpower from North Korea and even hinting at possible involvement linked to China. The message was clear: Russia, he claimed, has endless resources, while Ukraine does not—language reminiscent of broader World War–level warnings increasingly heard in global politics.
He then delivered a blunt ultimatum to the Ukrainian population, asserting they must either overthrow what he called a “criminal government” or continue to die on the battlefield. The framing mirrored other moments when leaders portray themselves as the only alternative to collapse, a theme often highlighted in international crisis warnings.
Solovyov also framed the war in religious terms, portraying Russia’s actions as a sacred mission while branding Ukraine’s leadership as morally corrupt. “Our goals are sacred,” he claimed, asserting divine backing for Russia’s campaign.
Guest Igor Markov, a former Ukrainian politician now aligned with Moscow, argued that Russia would only need to seize territory up to the right bank of the Dnieper, including Odesa, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia. He claimed that any remaining Ukrainian territory without sea access would eventually be abandoned by the West and turn into a permanent conflict zone—an argument often used in debates about abandoned allies and shifting geopolitical priorities.
The program ended on its most extreme note. Solovyov accused Ukrainians of betraying shared history and Orthodox Christianity, urging viewers to stop feeling sympathy. He concluded with explicit verbal calls for violent punishment of Ukraine’s political elite—illustrating how state-aligned media can normalize extremism, much as courts have warned in cases involving anti-democratic rhetoric and power grabs.
While these remarks do not constitute official policy, they offer a revealing look at how Russian state media continues to escalate its messaging as the war grinds on—and how televised rhetoric is used to justify prolonged conflict.
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