Russian propagandist to leave long-running “Vesti Nedeli” show

Dmitry Kiselyov will no longer host the weekly “Vesti Nedeli” program on Rossiya 1, which he has presented since 2012. 

He will be replaced by propagandist and former lawmaker Yevgeny Popov, the press service of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK) announced, as reported by the ASTRA Telegram channel.

Starting September 6, a new weekly program titled Kiselyov will air on Sundays, with Kiselyov offering his “personal view” of the week’s events. He will also remain the director general of Rossiya Segodnya, a media group he was appointed to lead by President Vladimir Putin in 2013.

Dmitry Kiselyov is a longtime Russian state television presenter and propagandist known for his ultra-conservative views and use of his platform to promote Kremlin narratives.

Independent reports prior to the official announcement cited declining ratings for “Vesti Nedeli” along with longstanding tensions between Kiselyov and presidential administration officials over his style and resistance to guidance, as factors in the change.

By Jeyhun Aghazada