Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Putin approvesexperts for talks with Ukraine: Kremlin
Russian Deputy FM Galuzin, Head of General Staff Kostyukov, Deputy Defense Minister Fomin will participate in Istanbul talks: Kremlin
Russian presidential aide Medinsky will lead Russia delegatioon at Ukraine talks: Kremlin
Putin approves composition of Russian delegation for negotiations with Ukraine: Kremlin
Abu Obeida posts on X, commenting on the West Bank operation amid Israeli rumors that he was assassinated
Israeli media: An Israeli settler was killed and two others were injured in the shooting near Salfit
Israeli emergency service: The shooting near Salfit resulted in two injuries, one in extremely critical condition and the other in serious condition
Palestinian sources: Two Israelis were injured in a shooting operation near Nablus in the northern West Bank
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: I am waiting to see who will arrive from Russia. Then I will decide what steps Ukraine should take
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: Ukraine ready for any format of negotiations to end war with Russia

Putin draws parallel between Israelis sieging Gaza, Leningrad siege

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 13 Oct 2023 23:10
  • 3 Shares
4 Min Read

Putin's recent remarks insinuated a comparison between "Israel" and Nazi Germany.

  • x
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to the media after the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
    Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to the media after the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. (Pavel Bednyakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

During a summit in Kyrgyzstan on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned "Israel" against implementing a siege on Gaza reminiscent of the Leningrad siege by Nazi Germany.

He expressed concerns that a ground offensive in Gaza would result in an unacceptably high number of civilian casualties.

The Russian President acknowledged the severe nature of the Palestinian resistance operation that "Israel" faced from Hamas but questioned "Israel's" response methods.

"I hear some say that there may be military and nonmilitary measures taken against Gaza, similar to the blockade of Leningrad during World War II. We understand where that goes, and this is unacceptable." Putin told reporters.

"More than 2 million people live there. Far from all of them support Hamas by the way, far from all. But all of them have to suffer, including women and children. Of course, it's hard for anyone to agree with this."

His critique of "Israel" carried weight due to the reference to the Leningrad siege from 1941 to 1944.

The Siege of Leningrad stands as one of the darkest chapters of World War II, when German and Finnish forces, under the command of Nazi German leader Adolf Hitler, besieged the city of Leningrad in the Soviet Union. The attack resulted in an estimated 1.2 million casualties, including 140,000 children, over approximately 842 days.

The implied comparison between "Israel" and Nazi Germany, which could be deeply offensive to "Israel", made his remarks even more pointed.

Putin however affirmed "Israel's" purported right to self-defense.

PUTIN: "I hear some say that there may be military and non military measures taken against Gaza, similar to the blockade of Leningrad during World War II. We understand where that goes, and this is unacceptable." pic.twitter.com/9b6Y1Bpt7Y

— COMBATE |🇵🇷 (@upholdreality) October 13, 2023

According to a report made by US investigative journalist Seymour Hersh yesterday, an Israeli national security veteran said that "Israel" is pondering whether to use a "Leningrad approach" to starve out "Hamas forces" in Gaza and avoid an invasion, something the source said may lead to the murder of nearly 100,000 civilians.

The Israeli source told Hersh that “The big debate today … is whether to starve Hamas out or kill as many as 100,000 people in Gaza,” adding that,  “Hamas now only has a two or three-day supply of purified water and that, along with a lack of food … may be enough to flush all the Hamas [forces] out.”

Related News

Journalist resigns after describing French crimes in Algeria as 'Nazi'

Brazil recalls envoy to 'Israel', summons Israeli ambassador

Absolutely unacceptable

He spoke following "Israel's" military announcement, urging over 1 million civilians in Gaza City to move south within 24 hours.

This move coincided with the massing of tanks in preparation for an anticipated ground invasion in response to Hamas' significant attack on Saturday.

Putin expressed that a ground assault would result in "serious consequences for all sides."

"And most importantly, the civilian casualties will be absolutely unacceptable. Now the main thing is to stop the bloodshed," he said.

Read more: The Israelis brutal attack on Gaza kills 1799 including 533 children

Potential mediation

Putin has called for negotiations in the Middle East, emphasizing Moscow's readiness to cooperate with all constructive parties.

He highlighted that a key resolution to the conflict lies in the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Russia believes it can play a mediation role due to its relationships with various regional actors, including "Israel," Palestine, Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and major Arab nations.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov recently engaged with ambassadors from "Israel," Lebanon, and Iran, and the foreign ministry confirmed that Moscow's communication with Hamas would persist.

Drawing parallels

Recent events in the Middle East have led both Moscow and Kiev to draw parallels between the situation there and the conflict in Ukraine.

Ukraine has likened Moscow to Hamas, while Russia has criticized the West for its perceived bias in supporting "Israel" while overlooking the Palestinian plight. 

"More than a million people from Gaza must urgently evacuate... at the demand of the Israeli army. Yet all the 'Western partners' are shamefully silent," former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said.

"I wonder what their reaction would be to a similar demand to the Kiev regime to evacuate one of (its) major cities?"

Read more: Israelis fighting alongside Ukrainian nationalists (footage)

  • Nazi Germany
  • Israeli aggression
  • Israel
  • Putin
  • Hamas
  • Gaza

Most Read

Trump cut off contact with Netanyahu, senior Israeli official says

Trump cut off contact with Netanyahu: Israeli media

  • US & Canada
  • 9 May 2025
A boy draped in a Palestinian flag carries a mock rocket during a weekly anti-US and anti-Israeli rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, May 9, 2025 (AP)

Yemen announces hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion Airport

  • Politics
  • 9 May 2025
President Donald Trump, left, greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Washington (AP)

US pressures 'Israel' for Gaza deal; Witkoff's Israeli rebuke leaked

  • US & Canada
  • 9 May 2025
Israeli troops move with APC, armored personnel carrier near the border with Gaza, in southern Occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP)

'Gideon's Chariots' operation in Gaza is doomed to fail: Haaretz

  • Palestine
  • 9 May 2025

Coverage

All
Gaza prevails against genocide

Read Next

All
A Fly Dubai plane is parked on the tarmac at Ben Gurion International Airport in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 (AP)
Economy

Israeli tourism suffers $3bln loss amid 'unprecedented' crisis

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during an annual ceremony in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, April 29, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu refuses to budge, captive talks stall: Israeli officials

Susan Sarandon joins hundreds urging BBC to release delayed Gaza film
Europe

Susan Sarandon joins call for BBC to air documentary on Gaza medics

In this photo released by the Saudi Royal Palace, Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, left, shakes hands with President Donald Trump, centre, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, May 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Trump worries 'Israel' with Syria sanctions lift: The Times

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS