"Dark clouds over Kiselyov." The Kremlin is considering firing the famous propaganda presenter of the Rossiya 1 TV channel

“Dark clouds over Kiselyov.” Kremlin intends to fire famous TV presenter from “Russia 1”

The Russian presidential administration intends to remove Dmitry Kiselyov, the popular presenter of the “Vesti nedeli” (Weekly News) program on “Russia 1” since 2012. This was reported by the “VCHK-OGPU” Telegram channel, which covers the activities of political circles and law enforcement agencies, citing its sources.

Observers accuse Kiselyov of promoting aggressive rhetoric on the federal TV channel and presenting news with dramatization, which deviates from journalistic ethics. It is reported that from the new television season, his place may be temporarily taken by former deputy of the Russian State Duma Yevgeny Popov.

According to the channel’s interlocutors, the Kremlin is increasingly dissatisfied with Kiselyov, and a number of objections have been accumulated against him. These include the declining viewer interest in the Vesti Nedeli program, the host's controversial character, intolerance of other opinions, and unwillingness to listen to the recommendations of officials from the presidential administration.

Sources say that Kiselyov could not only be removed from the air, but also be dismissed from the post of general director of the Rossiya Segodnya news agency, which was founded in 2013. According to them, the publicist may later be appointed to a symbolic position as an "honorary pensioner."

A source from the VChK-OGPU said that the 72-year-old host was aware of the decision being prepared regarding him, and it deeply affected him.

"He is hanging around like a dark cloud in the headquarters of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK) on Yamskoye Pole Street. Kiselyov believes that he has become a victim of intrigue and threats," the channel's interlocutor said.

Dmitry Kiselyov is one of the most prominent Russian propagandists. Vladimir Putin personally appointed him as the director general of the Rossiya Segodnya news agency, which was founded in 2013.

Kiselyov is widely known for his harsh statements during the annexation of Crimea. At that time, he said that Russia had weapons “capable of turning the United States into radioactive ash.” The propagandist was subsequently subject to sanctions by the United States and European countries.