Kremlin propaganda star blasts Russian Army for not bombing Boris Johnson

Former British prime minister Boris Johnson was reportedly seen in the Black Sea port of Odesa over the weekend as part of a morale-boosting trip to Ukraine before attending the Yalta European Strategy conference in Kyiv. The visit, which included Lord Ashcroft, has drawn sharp criticism from Russian state television and pro-Kremlin commentators.

On Rossiya 1, prominent presenter Vladimir Solovyov questioned why Russian forces did not strike Odesa while Johnson was there, saying he could not understand the restraint. Retired general Evgeny Buzhinsky also expressed disbelief, asking when what he called “political tourism” would end. Their remarks framed the visit as provocative and prompted threats directed at Western officials traveling to Ukraine.

Johnson is viewed by the Kremlin as a staunch supporter of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Russian outlets often single him out for criticism because of his early, vocal backing of Ukraine. In recent comments, Johnson criticized the welcome given to Vladimir Putin in Alaska and urged that frozen Russian assets held in the West be considered for transfer to Ukraine, calling for strong measures in support of Ukrainian recovery.

Solovyov additionally singled out Finland’s former prime minister Alexander Stubb, another attendee, suggesting Western politicians visiting Ukraine should be warned they face personal danger. Buzhinsky suggested more direct measures, including attacks on infrastructure used by visiting delegations. Those calls appeared on state-funded television and reflect the hardline rhetoric coming from some corners of Russian media.

While the broadcast rhetoric is striking, analysts caution that televised threats and harsh commentary often serve domestic political aims and should be weighed against broader diplomatic and military realities. Johnson’s visit to Odesa and Kyiv underscores continuing Western political support for Ukraine and highlights the tense information environment surrounding high-profile trips to the country.