Russian Deputy Calls for Extermination of Half of Ukraine's Population

A Russian Duma deputy has escalated extremist rhetoric by calling for the extermination of up to half of Ukraine's population. Aleksei Zhuravlyov, leader of the ultranationalist Rodina party, stated in an interview that destroying "all Nazis" is necessary to eliminate the perceived threat to Russia.

Zhuravlyov elaborated that if 50% of the population holds such views, they must all be exterminated to prevent future threats. He suggested that those who do not "change their clothes" should be expelled or killed. When asked about distinguishing between combatants and civilians, he simplistically replied that anyone seen with a machine gun should be killed.

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All Nazis must be exterminated. All! You see, even if it's 50% – even 50% – they must all be exterminated. So that this infection does not exist there, so that no one threatens us.

This inflammatory statement reflects a shift in propaganda justifications as the conflict prolongs. Zhuravlyov previously estimated only 2% of Ukrainians held dangerous views, but prolonged Ukrainian resistance has led him to claim the hostile percentage has risen to 20-30%, necessitating extreme measures.

Political analysts and international relations experts warn that this ideological slide, evident since 2012 and intensified after the 2014 annexation of Crimea, is termed 'Ruscism.' This contemporary totalitarian current is marked by a cult of personality, aggressive imperialism, historical revisionism, and the suppression of civil society through abusive laws and repressive administrative apparatus.

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If he has a machine gun, yes, he must be killed. What is there to distinguish? If you see him, kill him.