Broadcaster Dmitry Kiselyov also called on UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to apologise to Russia.
Russian broadcaster Dmitry Kiselyov has fired back at comments made by Micheál Martin following threats to annihilate the country with the use of nuclear weapons.
The Taoiseach’s comments were broadcast on Sunday (15 May) as part of a segment on Russia-1, a state-run news channel.
Two weeks after Russian state TV's Dmitry Kiselyov threatened to "sink the British Isles" with nukes, he's responded to the uproar it caused in Ireland
(with subtitles) pic.twitter.com/u94Lx6dIed
— Francis Scarr (@francis_scarr) May 15, 2022
The Deputy Director of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company had previously shown an animation of Britain and Ireland being destroyed with a nuclear missile, stating that “everything has been calculated”.
“In Ireland, a strong reaction was provoked by remarks made in our programme two weeks ago in response to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s threat to strike Russia without consultations from NATO,” Kiselyov said.
“Let us remind you, it was a threat made to us from London.
“Back then, Boris Johnson made a provocative and absolutely groundless hypothesis saying that Russia could allegedly use a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine.
“And after that, in response, and without consulting NATO, Britain would strike Russia.
“It’s clear that Boris Johnson, having simulated a Russian nuclear attack, was also threatening us specifically with a nuclear strike in revenge.
“We had to say then that the whole British archipelago is basically a sinkable island.
“And Russia has every capability for such a nuclear retaliation.
“Ireland literally flew into a rage.
“Of course as a neutral country, it wasn’t nice for Ireland to become collateral damage in Britain’s clash with Russia.”
Kiselyov then read Martin’s condemnation of the broadcast, demanding an apology from the Russian Federation.
“It’s very sinister and intimidatory-type tactics by the Russian Federation but I don’t think anyone’s going to be intimidated by it,” said the Taoiseach.
“And I think it reflects a mindset that is worrying and not in touch with reality. I think there should be an apology forthcoming in relation to that but the more fundamental point I would think is that Russia should cease hostilities in Ukraine.”
The comment around hostilities ceasing in Ukraine was cut from Kiselyov’s response.
“I completely agree that an apology should be forthcoming from the British PM Boris Johnson for his groundless threat to strike Russia,” Kiselyov said.
“But we’re not intimidating anyone.
“Talking about our capabilities has an anti-war modality.
“As they say, let’s not start.
“It will end badly. It’s better to live in peace.”
The original segment showing the destruction of the islands was described as “misleading” by an expert on submarines, showing that the only craft capable of firing the missile is currently decommissioned.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
