RT news anchor Dmitry K. Kiselyov told viewers Sunday that Russia is the only country on Earth capable of turning the U.S. into "radioactive dust" by the strength of its nuclear program.
With a mushroom cloud graphic behind him, Kiselyov, one of the country's most influential state media representatives, also claimed President Obama's hair had turned gray because of the stress of dealing with Russia and President Vladimir Putin.
A report by AFP quoted Kiselyov as saying Russia would turn the U.S. to "radioactive ash." The report added:
Kiselyov also made great play of Russia's so-called "dead hand" capability to fire nuclear-capable intercontinental missiles automatically in the case of attack.
The system, also known as Perimeter, was in use during the Cold War but its use in post-Soviet Russia is not officially confirmed.
But Kiselyov appeared to claim it remained active, giving Russia the chance to strike back even if its main command positions were taken out in a strike by the West.
"Even if people in all our command posts after an enemy atomic attack cannot be contacted, the system will automatically fire our missiles from mines and submarines in the right direction," he added.
The channel's graphic showed the line of a Russian missile heading towards the Pacific coast and the United States.
[H/T TPM]