Jeremy Vine has been hit with over 200 Ofcom complaints for saying Russian soldiers 'probably deserved to die'.
The Channel 5 presenter was discussing the ukraine -crisis> Ukraine crisis on his magazine show on Monday February 28 when he shocked viewers with a comment about the Russian soldiers fighting for Vladimir Putin as the situation in Ukraine continued to worsen.
Jeremy received a total of 230 complaints related to the comments he made about Russian soldiers as he discussed the topic with a caller, who suggested that the young Russian soldiers fighting for Putin didn't want to continue fighting against the Ukrainians.
Want all the latest news and analysis from Ukraine? Sign up to our World News Bulletin here
The 56-year-old broadcaster left viewers stunned over the controversial comment.
"Quite a number of those Russians you'll probably find will go across. They were were holding their hands up this morning not wanting to fight Ukrainians. They were told lies by Putin, surprise surprise," caller Bill said during the phone in.
However, Jeremy's reply divided viewers, as he said: "True. But the brutal reality is, if you put on a uniform for Putin and you go and fight his war, you probably deserve to die, don't you?"
Twitter users flocked to social media to slam Jeremy's comments.
"I cannot believe Jeremy Vine has just said that. Utterly shocked by his lack of compassion," one wrote, as a second added: "Rancid and vile comments from Vine designed to pull in the viewers and gain a reaction."
A third shared: "Wow.... we've really gone and lost all compassion for people. Sickening."
He later defended his comments by saying: "I'm replying to a caller with the counterpoint to his view, which I do day in and day out and which is my job. My views are neither here nor there."
His comment came after the show aired a heartbreaking video of a Russian soldier, who broke down in tears as he spoke to his mother on the phone after surrendering to Ukrainians. The viral footage showed a young soldier being comforted by a number of women after deciding to throw down his weapons.
He blew his mum kisses as she spoke to him, bursting into tears as soon as he sees her.
