Viktor Olevich, a well-known “Americanist” in Russia and chief analyst at the Center for Actual Politics, told viewers and a stunned host that despite eight months of fighting, Russia “cannot win.”
Olevich, who went to school in the US but now lives in Moscow, also cast doubt on Russia’s claims that Ukraine is building a “dirty bomb” despite host Andrey Norkin’s protests.
Although Olevich has a reputation for not always taking the party line, his comments are nonetheless a startling public admission of failure.
Viktor Olevich, a well-known “Americanist” in Russia, made a particularly blunt admission of failure on state television last night
He made the remark Monday night when host Norkin asked him about calls between Russia’s top officials and their counterparts in the UK and US about the “dirty bomb”.
“The Americans called us,” Norkin proudly remarked, before adding, “How does it look [and] what can become of it?’
Olevich said: “It all looks something like this. Russia launched a special military operation, misjudged its strength and failed to win for eight months.
“At the same time, we complain and resent that our adversaries – the same countries that want to neutralize Russia, dismember us and destroy us – don’t believe us, don’t support us and don’t listen to us.”
Norkin shot back, “We’re not complaining, we’re outraged I would say.”
But Olevich continued: “We can be outraged and angry until we turn blue, but it will in no way solve our problems.”
Regarding the so-called “dirty bomb” — a charge laced with radioactive material that Russia claims Ukraine will detonate on its own soil — Olevich doubted it.
“If there is real information, real evidence of where this dirty bomb is, where they plan to use it, [then] Where are the documents?” he asked.
