Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 44, was seen by many as a comedian and sitcom actor who stumbled into the presidency. But when Russia’s troops invaded Ukraine’s capital Kyiv on the 24th of February and attacked the country’s cities, Zelenskyy appealed to all citizens, and the world, to defend Ukraine in an unprovoked war that shocked the entire world.
“Russia treacherously attacked our state this morning, as Nazi Germany did during World War Two,” Zelenskyy addressed on Thursday. “Russia has embarked on a path of evil, but Ukraine is defending itself and won’t give up its freedom, no matter what Moscow thinks.” Today, against all Kremlin’s odds, Zelenskyy is standing alone with Ukrainians against Putin.
“‘Captain Ukraine,’ the first ‘true’ president of Ukraine, a hero, a leader. I would have never thought I would see people use these terms to refer to Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” wrote Anna Myroniuk, a journalist at the Kyiv Independent, who said she, like many others, didn’t believe, and in fact, didn’t vote for Zelenskyy. As the world is watching the 5th day of Ukraine fighting Russia’s invasion with bated breath, you wonder who this unlikely hero is.
RELATED:
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy went from a comedian to national hero, standing against Putin as the world watches with bated breath
Image credits: zelenskiy_official
Zelenskyy, 44, who became president with no prior political experience, is one of four sons to Jewish Ukrainian parents
Image credits: PresidentofUkr
Two years ago, during the commemoration in Israel of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in January, Zelenskyy told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu two stories of Ukraine’s heroes: a Crimean Muslim woman and a Catholic priest who each saved scores of Jewish children.
Then, he added one more story “about a family of four brothers.” Zelenskyy said: “Three of them, their parents and their families became victims of the Holocaust. All of them were shot by German occupiers who invaded Ukraine. The fourth brother survived… Two years after the war, he had a son, and in 31 years, he had a grandson. In 40 more years, that grandson became president, and he is standing before you today, Mr. Prime Minister.”
Image credits: zelenskiy_official
Image credits: zelenskiy_official
While Putin was accusing Ukraine of “genocide” and talking of the need to “de-Nazify” the country, Zelenskyy remained dignified and articulate. He delivered multiple inspirational speeches that touched Ukrainians battling for their country in an unprecedented war created by Putin, and brought them hope.
The President is known to be a family man
Image credits: zelenskiy_official
Zelenskyy is married and has two children. He graduated from the Kyiv National Economic University in 2000 with a law degree, but chose a different career path. He formed the comedy troupe Kvartal 95 with other actors in 1997 and in 2003, the group began producing television programs, ABC News reported.
During his inaugural address in 2019, Zelenskyy told lawmakers: “I do not want my picture in your offices: the President is not an icon, an idol or a portrait. Hang your kids’ photos instead, and look at them each time you are making a decision.”
Image credits: zelenskiy_official
Initially, many Ukrainians were skeptical about Zelenskyy’s presidency due to the fact that he used to be a comedy actor and work in show business
so apparently Zelenskyy won the Ukrainian version of Dancing with the Stars in 2006 and the tape is even better than whatever you’re imagining pic.twitter.com/L1gnKD2ISr
— Kat Abu (@abughazalehkat) February 27, 2022
According to DW, just a few years ago, Zelenskyy was an actor and entertainer who satirized corruption and mismanagement in Ukraine by playing the Ukrainian president in the popular television series “Servant of the People.”
If we look back at when the idea of becoming the head of state wasn’t even on Zelenskyy’s mind, back in 2006, he made headlines for winning Ukraine’s Dancing with the Stars. The footage was recently shared by Kat Abu, a Twitter user who uploaded a video of the dance contest in its Ukrainian version from 16 years ago. It has gone viral since, showing a much different, relaxed version of today’s leader.
Image credits: ITarmyUA
Image credits: zelenskiy_official
On the 24th of February, 2022 Putin invaded Ukraine in an unprovoked military attack, and Zelenskyy showed what a true leader he is
Image credits: zelenskiy_official
Image credits: zelenskiy_official
In 2018, Zelenskyy turned to politics and announced his candidacy for president under the Servant of the People party. During his presidential campaign, he continued touring with his troupe and mocked his opponents in stand-up routines, ABC NEWS reported.
He won the election, taking over 73% of the vote. He ran a platform to end the war with Russia and its separatist proxies in eastern Ukraine and promised Ukraine’s people to find a way to resolve the eight-year conflict in eastern Ukraine with the Russian-controlled separatists there.
The President has done some power moves that won over people’s hearts not only in Ukraine but all over the world
Image credits: mokgethi
‘I Need Ammunition, Not a Ride’: Zelenskyy replied to the US offering to evacuate him from the country in war, making Ukrainians even more proud of him
Image credits: zelenskiy_official
When offered the chance of a US-backed evacuation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy famously told President Joe Biden: “I need ammunition, not a ride.” Meanwhile, Biden authorized the release of $350 million of military assistance as Russian troops began to invade Kyiv on Saturday.
Image credits: ddanpereira
When it was speculated that Zelenskyy abandoned the country and wanted to give up, he spoke the truth and fought Russia’s propaganda firsthand
Image credits: zelenskiy.official
Не вірте фейкам. pic.twitter.com/wiLqmCuz1p
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 26, 2022
Zelenskyy has been active on social media where he shared many updates on the current situation in Ukraine
Image credits: zelenskiy_official
Image credits: ZelenskyyUa
Image credits: zelenskiy_official
Image credits: ZelenskyyUa
Image credits: ZelenskyyUa
He continues to claim that Kyiv And Ukraine won’t relent
Image credits: zelenskiy.official
Image credits: Marinacaber
Here’s how the world reacted to the new world hero which became the biggest inspiration
Image credits: RedHot_Dragon
Image credits: kim
Image credits: MyKingdomForAGiraffe
Image credits: m3antar
Image credits: Jay Kuo
Image credits: TaraVDowns
Image credits: jenreeve190
Image credits: SeenSomeThangs
Image credits: TheRickyDavila
Image credits: mmpadellan
Image credits: harrylitman
Image credits: briantylercohen
Image credits: Go_Habs_Go31
Image credits: davidmweissman
Image credits: Ashtar888
Captain Ukraine, Slava Ukraine!
Image credits: gerald9090x
What do you think ?
Rijkærd 2 years ago
Putin secretly wishing he was getting the good press like Zelensky...he can go fight bears naked in Siberia for all we care but will never be respected by History as the Ukrainian president will be. Long Live Zelensky..
Martin Kaine 2 years ago
My exact thoughts: Putin riding hoses shirtless and all that fake macho crap, whereas Zelensky is showing what true leadership look like.
Load More Replies...
Rijkærd 2 years ago
Putin secretly wishing he was getting the good press like Zelensky...he can go fight bears naked in Siberia for all we care but will never be respected by History as the Ukrainian president will be. Long Live Zelensky..
Martin Kaine 2 years ago
My exact thoughts: Putin riding hoses shirtless and all that fake macho crap, whereas Zelensky is showing what true leadership look like.
Load More Replies... 
Related on Bored Panda
636
149