Public calls for the use of nuclear weapons in the war against Ukraine have once again been voiced in the Russian State Duma. This time, a sharp statement was made by Russian State Duma deputy and leader of the “Rodina” party, Alexey Zhuravlyov, who regularly appears on Russian propaganda channels’ talk shows. RBK-Ukraine reports this, citing The Moscow Times. His remarks came against the backdrop of reports about possible further steps by the Kremlin in escalating the conflict.
The essence of the statement: “there should be no such discussion”
According to Zhuravlyov, Russia allegedly should deliver a strike that would force Ukraine to capitulate, and in Moscow there should be no discussion at all about the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons against Kyiv. “There are discussions: can we use tactical nuclear weapons (against Ukraine – ed.), can we not. Listen, there should not even be such a discussion! If necessary, we are obliged to use it… If we need to strike, we will strike. And this is not up for debate,” the deputy declared, effectively calling for the unalternative use of a nuclear deterrent instrument.
Who is Alexey Zhuravlyov
Zhuravlyov has long been known as one of the most prominent “talk-show” deputies, regularly appearing on air in Russian propaganda programs. He publicly takes pride in being the “poorest deputy in the Russian Federation.” However, according to the outlet “Vёрstka,” his real fortune is apparently hidden: a significant part of his assets, including elite real estate and cars, is allegedly registered in the name of a “secret wife,” with whom the deputy has two children. This contrast between his public image and the actual state of affairs regularly becomes a subject of criticism.
The context of escalation and the Kremlin’s position
Zhuravlyov’s statement came against the backdrop of reports about possible further steps by the Kremlin in the war against Ukraine. Earlier, sources close to the Russian leadership told Bloomberg that Russian President Vladimir Putin is allegedly preparing an escalation and may be considering tactical nuclear weapons as a last resort to avoid defeat in the war. At the same time, as the outlet noted, no signs of actual preparation for the use of nuclear weapons are being detected, and Russia’s partners, including China, are reportedly opposed to such a step, according to Bloomberg.
Not the first call in the “assembly of propagandist deputies”
Zhuravlyov’s voice calling for devastating strikes on Ukraine and its civilians is far from the first in a series of public statements by Russian deputies. Earlier, Russian State Duma Deputy Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy publicly called to “openly” strike Ukrainian cities to demoralize the population and force Ukrainians to capitulate. Deputy and General Andrey Gurulev called to “strike the enemy mercilessly, without worrying,” while Russian Senator Andrey Kolesnik spoke of the need to “keep delivering strikes so that they cannot even lift their heads.” Thus, the call for a nuclear strike fits into a broader escalation rhetoric supported by certain figures in the Russian parliament.
Contradictory data
The available sources contain inconsistencies that must be honestly reflected. First, according to Bloomberg, on the one hand, it is reported that Putin is allegedly considering tactical nuclear weapons as a last resort, while on the other, the outlet directly states that there are no signs of preparation for their use, and that China and other Russian partners are opposed to such a step. In other words, the version of a prepared nuclear escalation remains at the level of source reports, not a confirmed fact. Second, Zhuravlyov’s public image as the “poorest deputy in the Russian Federation” contradicts the data from the outlet “Vёрstka” about hidden assets registered in the name of his “secret wife.” Both versions are presented in open sources, and a final conclusion on them requires additional verification.
Either way, the public call by a sitting Russian State Duma deputy to use tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine becomes a new element of escalation rhetoric and indicates that in Russian political discourse nuclear weapons are gradually being normalized as a subject of public calls, rather than remaining solely a closed instrument of deterrence.
