The head of Russia's newly formed news agency has publicly threatened the United States in a national TV program.

From the New York Post: "Russia is the only country in the world that is realistically capable of turning the United States into radioactive ash," Dmitry Kiselyov said on his weekly program.

Dmitri Kiselyov was a Russian TV journalist that was hand-picked by President Vladimir Putin to head the government backed news channel. Kiselyov made the statement with the image of a mushroom cloud (formed after a nuclear explosion) behind him.

The broadcast was made in response to US President Barack Obama's threat to take action if Russia annexes Crimea by virtue of the secession vote. Obama has stated that they do not recognize the legitimacy of the poll for secession.

From a report by AP:  "President Obama told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday that Crimea's vote "would never be recognized" by the United States, as he and other top U.S. officials warned Moscow against making further military moves toward southern and eastern Ukraine."

The reason was that the referendum was held "under threats of violence and intimidation" and declared that "Russia's actions are dangerous and destabilizing,"

There are contrasting reactions in America, though. From AP: "Secretary of State John Kerry had 'strong concerns' about Russian military activities in the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson, where Russian troops appeared Saturday, and about 'continuing provocations'in cities in east Ukraine, the State Department said."

Meanwhile, American legislators are calling for more decisive action. From the NY Post: "Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) called the crisis 'the ultimate result of a feckless foreign policy where no one believes in America's strength anymore.'

Obama is again put to the test as this issue will once again divide the nation. The bold statement by Russia cannot be ignored, but any brash decision can cause the situation to escalate.