Russia has issued a chilling new threat against the UK and Europe, warning it can strike “any part” of the continent as fears grow of a wider global conflict. The alarming comments were made on Russian state television by Vladimir Solovyov, one of Vladimir Putin’s closest media allies, during a heated broadcast discussing the Russia-Ukraine war and relations with the West.

Solovyov claimed that Europe no longer enjoys the protection of the United States and suggested Moscow could now attack Western targets without fear of retaliation. He said: “Basically, we can choose to strike any part of Europe. Americans won’t retaliate.” The remarks came as Solovyov predicted a future alliance between Russia and the US under Donald Trump, claiming Washington would abandon its traditional role as Europe’s security guarantor. He added that European nations were now “on their own” and accused Western leaders of provoking a dangerous escalation by continuing to support Ukraine. The Russian broadcaster also launched a furious attack on Kyiv, boasting about the destruction of Ukrainian infrastructure and declaring the capital a “dead city”.

The latest threats come amid rising tensions between Russia and the West, with continued fighting in Ukraine, warnings over energy security and growing concern that the conflict could spiral into a direct confrontation between nuclear powers.

In the UK, defence officials have previously acknowledged that Russia considers Britain one of its main strategic enemies due to its military support for Ukraine.

NATO has so far insisted that any attack on a member state would trigger a full collective response, but Solovyov’s claims have renewed fears that Moscow believes the alliance is weakening.

With Russia openly discussing strikes on Europe and questioning US commitment, experts warn that the world may be entering its most dangerous phase since the Cold War.

Solovyov also mocked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, claiming he had been abandoned by the West.

“By and large, Kyiv turned into a dead city, and we will finish it off,” he said, before calling on civilians to flee. The comments were backed by Igor Markov, a former Ukrainian politician now living in Russia, who went even further by calling for the execution of Ukrainian political leaders.

Markov said: “We should have only one dilemma – who should be shot and who should be hanged. Those who don’t surrender, that’s it.”

Solovyov is widely viewed by Western analysts as a key Kremlin-aligned broadcaster whose rhetoric often reflects Russian strategic messaging.” Although Solovyov holds no official government role, his statements are regularly echoed across Russian state media and are widely seen as reflecting Moscow’s real intentions.

Security experts have repeatedly warned that Russia uses nuclear and long-range strike rhetoric as a form of psychological warfare aimed at intimidating NATO countries and undermining public confidence.