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Insults, humiliations, lies and hate speech – that’s “The evening with Solovyov”. A talk show that runs on the state broadcaster “Russiya1”. The presenter is one of Russia’s most influential propagandists: Vladimir Solovyov.

Together with his studio guests, he passionately campaigns against Ukraine and its allies. The Kremlin propagandist glorifies the Russian offensive war.

Solovyov recently discussed with his colleague Margarita Simonian what will happen if Russia loses the war of aggression against its neighbour. He said:

Solovyov’s change – from respected journalist to agitator

Solovyov has been a well-known radio and television presenter in Russia since 2010, although he was previously considered an independent, respected journalist. Today he rushes to the Kremlin and shoots sharply at Ukraine. That was also different in 2013. At the time, he firmly rejected the annexation of Ukraine’s Black Sea peninsula from Crimea.

Journalist Petr Sarukhanov analyzes Solovyov’s career for the Russian newspaper “Novaya Gazeta”. The newspaper is one of the few remaining independent media outlets in Russia. In 2021, editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov received the Nobel Peace Prize.

In an article, Sarukhanov contrasts two statements by the propagandist.

The first comes from an open discussion in 2013. A viewer asked Solovyov if he would support the annexation of Crimea. His answer was:

Crimean Tatars are a Muslim-Turkish people who have also settled in the Crimean peninsula, among other places.

Solovyov argued at the time that Russia needed to overcome its post-imperial pains. “What point in history are we going to use to determine what we can and cannot take?” he asked the woman, who wanted Crimea back in Russian hands. A year later, her wish would come true. And Solovyov’s position in Crimea changed dramatically.

In 2014, Solovyov commented on the annexation of Crimea:

According to the journalist Sarukhanov, Solovyov is undeniably gifted for bending himself in such a way: from scathing criticism to exaggerated adoration.

Courting for the Kremlin’s favor

The journalist doubts whether Solovyov has a deep commitment to the values ​​and interests of the Kremlin. According to him, he mainly seeks the favor of the Russian government – and with success. In 2014, the Kremlin awarded him a state medal for his “objective coverage of events in Crimea”.

Solovyov wanted to become an engineer. He graduated with honors from the «Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys». This was followed by diplomas and dissertations at the “Institute of World Economy and International Relations” and at the “USSR Academy of Sciences”. He then traveled to the United States, where he reportedly taught economics at the University of Alabama – or so he says himself – but then returned to Moscow to earn money. The newspaper “Novaya Gazeta” quotes Solovyov:

Eventually, he found his way into journalism and became the Kremlin’s most influential mouthpiece. Today, he daily inundates the Russian-speaking public with hate speech, anti-Western and anti-Ukrainian disinformation, hatred and violent fantasies. He is also active on social media, most notably on Telegram, where he reportedly runs an affiliate network of 17 Telegram channels.

In March 2022, YouTube blocked Solovyov’s channels after he called for more bombings in Kiev, including civilian targets. The United Kingdom and the European Union have sanctioned him for undermining and threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

Over the course of his years of work for Russian state television, Solovyov developed an “absolute sense of impunity,” says Sarukhanov. “In every program he insults Ukrainians, Americans, Russian opposition members and former colleagues of independent media.” he is writing. He also insulted the employees of the independent “Novaya Gazeta” as “disgusting, stupid, vulgar people” and “scum”.

Solovyov spreads fear and lies – also against Germany

He is constantly spreading disinformation and propaganda on his television program ‘The evening with Solovyov’, as well as via radio and social media. A few examples:

Again and again Solovyov threatens Germany. According to him, Russia could destroy Berlin without pity. He says:

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is also not spared from Solovyov. He regularly draws comparisons between Scholz and Adolf Hitler. “Why did you shave your mustache? Adolf, we didn’t recognize you!”, he responds to a video of Scholz in his evening show.

According to him, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Jakub Morawiecki and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin would now be Russian governors in the Russian Empire – “if the traitors had not betrayed the monarchy”.

In his speeches, Solovyov often uses a provocative silence between words. He pauses, crosses his arms over his chest, sighs knowingly. There are lines of contempt on his face.

According to Sarukhanov, Solovyov’s self-mockery has completely evaporated. She was so typical of him when he was young. Also, his sense of humor is increasingly withered away by the daily and strenuous work. After all, the Russian-speaking public is expecting more and more, explains Igor Yakovenko, former Secretary General of the Union of Journalists of Russia. He told Novaya Gazeta newspaper:

According to Yakovenko, they are waiting to hear again how terrible things are in the West. “But just like real medicines, stronger ones are needed,” he explains. So over time, Solovyov’s broadcasts will become even more hateful and hateful.