Former State Duma Deputy Boris Nadezhdin comments sparked an enthusiastic debate where one pundit called for full-on war in Ukraine to defeat the army.
"We're now at the point when we have to understand it's absolutely impossible to defeat Ukraine using those resources and colonial war methods with which Russia is trying to wage war, using contract soldiers, mercenaries, no mobilization.
The TV host asked if Nadezhdin was suggesting Russia fully mobilize against Ukraine to which he insisted he wanted the opposite—peace talks to begin.Nadezhdin's outspoken criticism surprised Western commentators, with Guardian journalist Shaun Walker noting that Russian chat shows"always had the 'NATO shill guest' who said relatively sensible things and could then be torn down by the others.
Over recent weeks, as Ukraine launched its counteroffensive against Russian-held regions, some Russian, opening cracks in the previously solid support and confidence in Putin's strategy voiced on state TV.