World War III has already begun, claims Russian state TV

An ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin has said on state TV that World War III is already underway.

Vladimir Solovyov, a state TV host and one of the most well-known figures in Kremlin-backed media, made the remarks on the Russia-1 channel. An excerpt of the broadcast was shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, by Anton Gerashchenko, a former adviser to Ukraine’s minister of internal affairs. “Russia has no intentions of any real negotiations or peace. It is bloodthirsty,” wrote Gerashchenko on Tuesday.

Kremlin propagandists have routinely warned of a looming world war. Ties between Washington and Moscow have become increasingly strained over Putin’s decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Russian officials and guests on state TV regularly call for strikes on U.S. soil and the West over aid and weapons provided by the Joe Biden administration and other NATO members to Kyiv. Newsweek has emailed NATO representatives for comment on Solovyov’s words.

The propagandist continued this rhetoric in his latest tirade against the West this week. He called for strikes on military targets in NATO nations in response to recent decisions by some member states to authorize Ukraine to use donated weapons to attack targets inside Russia.

“In addition, since we realize that the task is set and is ongoing, there is no plan B; the destruction of Russia, it means we must create all conditions for inflicting colossal damage to the manpower and equipment of NATO troops stationed anywhere in the world,” Solovyov said.

“This means we must support all proxy movements, supplying them with everything they need, no matter where in the world they are located,” he added.

Russia must “cause so much trouble for these countries that they have the least amount of attention and time to work with us,” Solovyov said.

“Military plants and warehouses throughout NATO territory should be blown up if they produce and house equipment designed to strike Russia,” he added. “You want World War III? You are already in it!”

Putin last week said that NATO countries, “especially the ones based in Europe, particularly in small European countries, should be fully aware of what is at stake” by permitting Ukraine to strike Russian territory with Western weapons.

“They should keep in mind that theirs are small and densely populated countries, which is a factor to reckon with before they start talking about striking deep into Russian territory,” Putin added. “This constant escalation can lead to serious consequences.”

“It is another step toward a serious conflict in Europe, toward a global conflict,” the Russian leader said.

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