Security

Putin jokes about Russian 'martyrs' in potential nuclear holocaust

The possible deaths of millions across the world through the use of nuclear weapons are a joke to the Russian president.

Caravanserai and AFP

2018-10-19

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a ceremony to receive diplomatic credentials from newly appointed foreign ambassadors at the Kremlin in Moscow on October 11. [Sergei Karpukhin/AFP]

Russians will "go to heaven" as martyrs in the event of nuclear war, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday (October 18).

Putin, speaking at a forum of international experts in the southern city of Sochi, painted Russia as a supposed victim in a theoretical nuclear exchange.

"In such a situation, we expect to be struck by nuclear weapons, but we will not use them" first, he said.

"The aggressor will have to understand that retaliation is inevitable, that it will be destroyed and that we, as victims of aggression, as martyrs, will go to heaven," he said.

Russia held its largest military exercise -- Vostok-2018 -- since the Cold War at the Tsugol training range in the Trans-Baikal Territory September 11-17, 2018. [Kremlin]

"They will simply die because they won't even have time to repent," he said to some laughter from the audience.

Putin's quote received widespread coverage in both Kremlin-controlled and opposition media. Russians following the news responded to Putin's comments with equal parts scorn and sarcasm.

Some bloggers noted that this is the first time Putin has mentioned religious sentiments such as "heaven" and "martyrs", while others said he "makes no sense" and that he talks like an "Islamic extremist".

"Welcome to the Islamic State of Russia," said Russian journalist Karina Orlova in her blog "Allahu Akbar, Russians" on the Echo Moskvi website. "Russian citizens now are little parts of their commander in chief's-suicide bomber's [Putin] improvised explosive device."

"He sounds like Hitler with nuclear bomb," said another reader astlire.

"With this life we [Russians] have [under this government], it is better to be in heaven, sooner is better," par9 said on yaplakal.com.

In March, Putin unveiled "invincible" new weapons that he said would render Western missile defence systems obsolete, a claim dismissed by defence analysts and observers as far-fetched and politically motivated.

In 2016, he called for Russia to reinforce its military nuclear potential.

Russia has long used the former Soviet republics for the unscrupulous disposal of uranium tailings and weapons testing, as well as environmentally damaging military exercises.

Putin last month said Russia is a peaceful and non-aggressive country while attending the country's largest ever military drills, a claim that contrasts with the Kremlin's actions around the world.

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16 Comment(s)

| 2019-04-07

Putin will bring it on himself with his jokes

| 2019-01-29

Absolute nonsense, there are negative views about Russia. USA provocations are not taken into account

| 2019-01-11

Putin forgot that slaves are excluded from heaven. So, heaven is not in the cards for Russians.

| 2018-12-29

Gorbachev the Combine driver was either hood-winked or that asshole had lost on purpose giving everything away to the Yanks. Now these bastards are exerting pressure on Vova [Vladimir Putin] hoping it's gonna slide again this time. Negotiating with rascals means playing with con artists, such a landmark treaty was signed by Adolph [Hitler] in 1939.

| 2018-12-02

This article is utter rubbish!

| 2018-11-12

Oh, Katsaps are just getting bloated [while reading the article; "katsap" is a derogatory Ukrainian word used to offend Russians]

| 2018-11-12

He wasn't telling jokes, you morons..

| 2018-11-06

So, what is more desirable here: HELL, heaven or the Galley and World Domination? [Putin once said that he "had worked like a galley slave"]

| 2018-10-26

good and concise article.Putin's sense of humor is excellent.No need for doom and gloom mentality. Peace is war Freedom is Slavore Ignorance is bliss Soko Gakai

| 2018-10-25

The article is a total absurdity indeed. It's like a drunkard musing out loud. That was a concrete response to the actions of the Western partners who started whipping up tension. So, the site is loosing its ratings and trust by publishing the pieces like this one.

| 2018-10-24

The word "heaven" has triggered everyone's reaction, but what's going to happen to the country under a nuclear missile attack? Only one man speaks out frankly and straightforwardly about it, others can't do it like that and don't know a thing. The "experts" denounced his words in the beginning only to admit later on that [the threat] is real. Military drills are conducted in contact with the closest neighbours and allies, the drills are absolutely transparent as all the parties are notified well in advance. The article is rubbish.

| 2018-10-21

Islam will rule in the future!

| 2018-10-20

Russia is a pillar of peace!

| 2018-10-22

"The Dove of Peace is flying high!".... and "Peace, Peace, Peace, Peace is our b a t t l e cry".... Ruthenia is a pillar of hypocrisy! ! !

| 2018-10-20

He is talking the way hooligans talk under influence. BUT: "A drunken man's words are a sober man's thoughts". It's high time to remedy that Roosevelt's fatal mistake.

| 2018-11-11

And why would we need this world if Russia isn't part of it?