Episode Details

Top Russian Official Openly Calls for War Crimes

A senior Russian official has openly called for Ukrainian cities to be bombed until the civilian population becomes demoralized and surrenders.

Pyotr Tolstoy—one of the deputy chairmen of Russia’s State Duma—was not describing accidental civilian casualties. He advocated using attacks on cities and civilian morale as instruments of political coercion. He then described Ukraine as strategically valuable territory that could provide Russia with a shorter energy route into Europe.

In this video, Professor Gerdes examines what Tolstoy said, why it appears to amount to advocacy for war crimes, and how it contradicts Moscow’s claim that Russia wants a peaceful resolution. Russia is also reportedly planning to manufacture as many as 10,000 cheaper Dan-T missiles in 2027 while punishing Russians who publicly discourage others from going to war.

The larger pattern is difficult to ignore: coercion abroad, repression at home, and a Russian political system increasingly structured around prolonged war.

Also covered: Russia’s extraordinary casualties, Lukashenko’s approaching meeting with Putin, the CIA director’s Moscow visit, Ukraine’s mobilization requirements, Russia’s shadow fleet, mixed American messages to Europe, Germany’s rising defense spending, the death of King Harald V, and the remarkable humanitarian legacy of Dolly Parton.

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0:00 Russian official calls for bombing Ukrainian cities

0:27 What Pyotr Tolstoy actually said

3:02 Kremlin blames Ukraine for rejecting “peace”

3:24 Russia criminalizes telling people not to fight

4:35 Russia reportedly plans 10,000 new missiles

5:21 Sochi mayor congratulates a fallen soldier’s parents

6:04 Russia’s staggering casualties

6:27 Russia’s aging leadership

6:55 Lukashenko prepares to meet Putin

7:26 Zelenskyy discusses the CIA meetings in Moscow

7:55 Ukraine needs 30,000 recruits every month

8:41 Ukraine’s former defense minister advises Italy

10:16 Russia struggles to protect its shadow fleet

10:45 Norway mourns King Harald V

12:00 America sends contradictory messages to Europe

12:53 Germany’s actual defense spending

14:19 Trump renames Lake Ontario

15:30 Michael McFaul receives major recognition

16:21 Remembering Dolly Parton

20:35 Viewer shout-out

21:38 Final thoughts

#Ukraine #Russia #WarCrimes

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