Top Russian propagandist and Vladimir Putin ally Vladimir Solovyov has claimed World War 3 had already started, sparking fears of a major escalation between Russia and NATO.
The anchor on the State-run TV channel Russia 1 has regularly described Putin’s invasion of Ukraine as a conflict between Russia and the West while also warning of escalation.
Keeping with this theme, Solovyov warned Russia was “confronted with a formidable enemy—we are dealing with the collective West, so to speak, which means more than 50 countries”.
He added: “Some of them are not Western, the West is no longer a geographical term. Either way, they will get the economy going and move it onto a war footing.”
The rant was translated by Russia expert Julia Davis, who posted the clip to X. In it, Solovyov claims Russia needs “two and a half years” to level up to a position where it can confront the West.
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The Kremlin propagandist then issued a chilling warning to the West by claiming World War 3 had already begun while name-dropping Donald Trump.
He added: “We are moving towards World War III. In my opinion, it’s already underway. By the way, Trump thinks so too.”
Tensions between the West and Russia are at heights not seen since the Cold War following Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The news comes amid a growing stalemate on the frontlines in Ukraine, with both sides struggling to gain significant territory.
However, the Ukrainian air force shot down a Russian early warning and control plane that can spot targets up to 400 miles away and a key command centre aircraft that relays information to troops on the ground in a significant blow to the Kremlin’s forces, Ukraine’s military chief said Monday.
Russia has largely ensured its air dominance during the war, as Ukraine fights with its fleet of Soviet-era warplanes against Moscow’s more modern aircraft.
