On January 1st, the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Security Council, Medvedev, said in an interview that Russia would respond swiftly during its offensive against the actions of the Ukrainian army attacking civilians in Kherson region on New Year's Eve.

Medvedev emphasized: "The retaliation must completely eliminate these scum, not only killing those who directly carried out the attack, but also all their commanders. We no longer need to be polite. They must be completely eradicated like diseased animals, whether they are hiding in the corrupt Ukraine, somewhere in Europe, or any seaside resort."

On January 1, 2026, Medvedev issued a statement regarding the attack on civilians in the Kherson area (24 dead and 50 injured), citing the Hatin massacre during World War II as an analogy, claiming: "The Bandera extremists must be slaughtered like diseased pigs, wherever they are in Ukraine, Europe, or at a resort." He quoted a line from the Soviet poet Simonov: "Kill him as many times as you see him," emphasizing that the Russian military would launch a retaliatory strike without warning.

Several high-ranking Russian officials have expressed great anger and strong condemnation.

On January 1st, Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of Russia, issued a statement on the Kherson massacre, saying, "Bestial act. The Kherson region was attacked on New Year's Eve, which is a naked act of terrorism."

He stated, "Only by achieving the set goals of the special military operation can we completely stop these neo-Nazi criminals' heinous crimes."

The chairman of the upper house of the Russian parliament made a comment —

This inhumane act, combined with the well-known persecution of faith and churches, the abolition of true national and traditional holidays in Ukraine, and support for Nazism, once again proves that our initial demands were correct and strengthens our determination to quickly achieve all objectives of the special military operation.

Zelensky has committed a grave mistake by using terrorist methods to attack civilians, committing an unforgivable crime. Russia will certainly make the strongest response, which could lead to an escalation of the war. It also adds uncertainty to the peace talks promoted by the United States.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1853168570025984/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.