Putin Ally Threatens Critical Viewer on TV: 'We Are Going To Find You'

Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov threatened a viewer who had asked him to stop lying to the public, saying that he "won't know a moment's peace."

Talking on his radio show Full Contact (Polniy Kontakt), Vladimir Putin's ally and TV presenter read a message from a critical viewer, a man he said was named Victor Rozumovsky, saying: "Maybe it's time to stop presenting lies as the truth? Stop deceiving people. Rational thinking people no longer believe any of this."

Solovyov, who's been nicknamed "Putin's voice" for his support of the Kremlin, responded to the viewer using intimidating terms.

"You know what, Victor? If you are in Russia, we are going to find you," he said. "We will find out everything about you. You won't know a moment's peace."

A clip from the show was made available on Tuesday by Daily Beast journalist Julia Davis on Twitter.

It's unclear who Solovyov is talking about when he says "we" as he threatens the critical viewer. Newsweek has reached out to the Kremlin for comment.

The threat came at the end of a speech where Solovyov talked about the conditions of Russian troops in Ukraine, as he said he "wanted to see what is happening with my own eyes."

Solovyov has been a strong supporter of Moscow's "special military operation" in Ukraine since its start on February 24 but has recently appeared frustrated with the conflict, calling for Russia to escalate the operation to a "full-scale war" in Europe and complaining about "severe problems" on the battleground.

In October, the TV host admitted for the first time since the beginning of the Russia's invasion of Ukraine in late February that the conflict was a "war" and not just a "special military operation" as authorities demand it to be called.

In his account of the situation at a Russian training site, Solovyov said that "there's mud up to your knee," adding that this "explains why the military actions are going so slowly."

Footage is then shown on screen of a military vehicle moving slowly through muddy roads and Solovyov in full military attire walking with a broad smile on his face alongside another man.

"I wanted to get to the muddiest mud. I went to see the guys I've met and already knew. I went to the training site," he said. "On the training site, those who are yet to make it to the battlefield, many are dressed in whatever was given to them by their county. It would be ideal if that was supplied by the army, but we are realists, so we say it how it is and not the way we would like it to be."

Solovyov added that "the army is clearly working to fix the shortcomings as quickly as possible, but to begin with, this help is coming from society."

The Putin ally talked of "things that shook me to the core" at the training site, asking to pause on a clip of two soldiers in uniforms, one who's wearing knee pads "made out of empty bottles" and one who doesn't have any at all.

"Guys, this won't do. This is wrong, it shouldn't be this way," Solovyov said, saying that the Defense Ministry should equip the troops.

A lack of proper equipment among Russian troops sent to Ukraine has been reported by Western intelligence sources for months now, with this impacting morale as well as the soldiers' willingness and ability to fight.

Those conscripted into the army as part of Putin's mobilization in early October have reportedly talked of being sent to the frontlines with no equipment and no training and being forced to buy the basics—including clothing and body armor—themselves.