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Russian propaganda mocks ‘shaggy-haired Churchill-parody Boris Johnson’

(PA/Russia One)
Russian state TV presenter Vladimir Solovyov has called Boris Johnson a "pathetic, shaggy-haired parody" of Winston Churchill(PA/Russia One)

A high-profile presenter on Russian state TV has branded Boris Johnson a "pathetic, shaggy-haired parody" of Winston Churchill in an unusual piece of propaganda about the war in Ukraine.

Vladimir Solovyov, from the state-owned Russia-1 channel, was responding to comments from General Sir Patrick Sanders, who assumed overall command of the British Army this week.

Speaking at the weekend, General Sanders said British troops must prepare “to fight in Europe once again” as the conflict in Ukraine continues. He told troops the "scale of the enduring threat from Russia shows we've entered a new era of insecurity."

The comments came as the prime minister visited Kyiv, during which he said that “we need to steel ourselves for a long war”.

Johnson warned Vladimir Putin’s invasion was “entering a new phase” and if Russian advances are successful he “would not stop at dismembering Ukraine”.

Solovyov is widely recognised as being a key Moscow propagandist and has been described as "Putin's voice".

Read more: Boris Johnson in Kyiv with offer to 'fundamentally change the equation of the war'

(Russia-1)
Vladimir Solovyov, a presenter on Russian tv channel Russia-1, said Britain could not beat Russia on it's own. (Russia-1)

He said on Russia-1: "The head of the UK armed forces Sanders wants to create an army capable of defeating Russia.

"But obviously, Britain won't succeed at that on its own under any circumstances."

He continued by saying the British Army is the "smallest it has been in 300 years, only 73,000 strong," and added: "As is often the case, the British make loud war cries but from behind other people's backs.

"Getting out and doing some fighting on their own behalf - well it's not Waterloo anymore, they aren't very eager to do that."

"The UK is not led by Winston Churchill these days, but by a pathetic, shaggy-haired parody of him."

Read more: Russian TV's bizarre claim Boris Johnson's popularity will dive when Britons are executed

FILE - In this image provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, centre, and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson walk on the square where damaged Russian military vehicles are displayed in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, June 17, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP, File)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Boris Johnson walk on the square where damaged Russian military vehicles are displayed in Kyiv. (AP)
In this image provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, pose for photo during their meeting in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, June 17, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)
Johnson made the second surprise visit to Kyiv on Friday. (AP)

He then laid his sights on foreign secretary Liz Truss, who earlier this week he said would "go to hell" after she added the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, to the sanctions list of high-profile individuals.

He also referred to an outfit she wore when she visited Moscow just weeks before Russia attempted to invade Ukraine on 24 February.

Solovyov added: "And it's not at all the Iron Lady waiting in the wings but a poor parody in a furry hat, let's put it that way as that's what Liz Truss was wearing when she had a photo session, although the weather was fairly hot, on Red Square,"

"But all the same, they're all so comical, but as we know that doesn't make these clowns any less bloody."

(Downing Street)
Solovyov referred to an outfit Liz Truss wore when she visited Moscow just weeks before Russia attempted to invade Ukraine on 24 February.(Downing Street)

Johnson has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine, and last week visited Kyiv for the second time, meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The surprise visit was only confirmed after Johnson arrived, with Zelenskyy posting on social media: “Many days of this war have proved that Great Britain’s support for Ukraine is firm and resolute.

“Glad to see our country’s great friend Boris Johnson in Kyiv again.”

Downing Street said Johnson was in the Ukrainian capital with an offer of a major training operation which could potentially see UK armed forces and other allies train up to 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers every 120 days.

No 10 said it would "fundamentally change the equation of the war, ensuring the Armed Forces of Ukraine have the resilience they need to be victorious in their fight for enduring peace."

Russia has now been at war in Ukraine for 117 days, having initially tried to take over the capital and oust the democratically elected government.

But their attempts have not gone to plan, and having been kicked out of the north of the country by Ukrainian defence forces, Vladimir Putin's forces have concentrated their attentions on the Donbas region in the south-east.

Ukrainian authorities have estimated over 34,000 Russian soldiers have been killed so far in the offensive.