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EPISODE · Aug 28, 2026 · 22 MIN

Top Russian Official Openly Calls for War Crimes

from Professor Gerdes Explains · host Professor Gerdes

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. Support Ukraine Support Bridge: https://ukrainesupportbridge.com/ Facts over noise. Context over headlines. Truth over talking points. Principle over partisanship. 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 Fundraisers video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMTs6amkGUg and Here is the direct link to the Ukraine Support Bridge: https://ukrainesupportbridge.com/ - Ukrainian Refugee M's Room and Board is covered for this year. It is not for the rest of her time at CSU. I will be pushing on the other fundraisers for now, but if you still wish to give to make that whole (Aprox 48K total), here is the direct link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-ms-journey-at-charleston-southern-university?attribution_id=sl:2708fb35-6c96-49b9-a5f9-6b7567483de6&lang=en_US&ts=1786462653&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp30-treatment-3&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link ***** To support me as as I provide Ukraine war context: ***** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProfessorGerdesExplains Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/professorgerdes Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/professorgerdes YouTube Channel Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@Professor-Gerdes/membership 🇺🇸 Contact the White House to express your support for Ukraine https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ *****IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE DIRECT AID TO UKRAINE: ***** 🇺🇦 If you wish to support the Ukrainian Army, give directly to United 24. Follow this link: https://u24.gov.ua/ ***BUY SOMETHING TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE *** 🇺🇦 If you purchase from Saint Javelin with my link below, a cut of the proceeds will go directly to humanitarian aid for soldiers (bandages, tourniquets, etc.). I don't get the revenue. It goes to buy medical supplies from UnitewithUkraine.com. Use this link: https://www.saintjavelin.com/en-us?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Gerdes 🇺🇸 This is the absolute CHEAPEST THING YOU CAN DO to support Ukraine (This is NOT MY SITE) https://amzn.to/4aPtwQr - Just support the war effort somehow. 🇺🇦 I wrote a book about Ukraine's president Zelenskyy which I have updated for the first 4-5 months of the war in Ukraine: It is free if you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited or $9.99 otherwise: https://amzn.to/3Q2wnyE 🇺🇦 If you cannot give or buy, you can like, share, and pray for the people of Ukraine. 🇺🇸 Please leave comments and tell me how I can help you gain more perspective. You can contact me @Dr_Gerdes on Twitter or email [email protected] #UKRAINE #UKRAINERUSSIAWAR #UKRAINEWAR

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