"To come out with their paws raised": Russian State Duma deputy chairman calls for bombing Ukrainian cities
Pyotr Tolstoy, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma, has said Russia should openly bomb Ukrainian cities to demoralise the population and force Ukrainians to surrender to Russian troops.
Source: The Moscow Times, citing the Russian outlet Mozhem Obyasnit ("We can explain"), which drew attention to Tolstoy's remarks during an appearance on Russia's Channel One
Details: During the Vremya Pokazhet ("Time Will Tell") talk show, Tolstoy was reminded that more than 20 million people currently live in Ukraine and asked what would happen to them if the country were turned into "scorched earth".
In response, the Russian lawmaker suggested giving residents of Ukrainian cities 24 hours' notice of impending strikes and allowing them to leave the settlements.
Quote from Tolstoy: "Do you think that we are calling for cruelty? We are calling for demoralising the public so much that they come out to meet our troops with their paws raised."
More details: On 23 February 2022, Russian television presenter and State Duma Deputy Chairman Pyotr Tolstoy was added to the European Union's sanctions list.
Background:
- Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and the Foreign Intelligence Service previously reported that Russia's General Staff has prepared a plan for the additional mobilisation of 600,000 people in 2026-2027 – 300,000 per year. The mobilised personnel are primarily intended to replenish units fighting against Ukraine, as well as new military formations.
- According to The Wall Street Journal, in July, Russian forces conducted mobilisation exercises involving residents of Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast.
- In May, President Zelenskyy reported that Vladimir Putin's regime has set the task of increasing the Russian occupation army contingent, indicating that Moscow does not plan to engage in genuine peace negotiations.
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