Wife of Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President’s wife Selenska accuses the Kremlin of “mass murder” in an open letter
The wife of the Ukrainian leader, Olena Zelenska (archive photo)
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The wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Olena Zelenska, has addressed Russia in an open letter. She spoke of “mass murder” of civilians and called for a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
In an open letter, the wife of the Ukrainian head of state, Olena Zelenska, has accused Russia of “mass murder” of civilians. “Despite the protestations of the Kremlin-backed propaganda organizations calling this a ‘special operation’, it is in fact a mass murder of Ukrainian civilians,” she said in the letter released Tuesday night. She referred in particular to the children among those killed and gave examples.
“Eight-year-old Alice… died on the streets of Ochtyrka while her grandfather tried to protect her,” she wrote. “Polina from Kyiv died under the shelling together with her parents”. “14-year-old Arseny was hit in the head by debris and could not be rescued because an ambulance could not get to him in time because of the intense fire.” She reiterated, “When Russia says it is ‘not waging war on civilians,’ I first call out the names of these murdered children.”
Olena Selenska: “We will win for sure”
Ukraine wants peace. “But Ukraine will defend itself and will never capitulate.” The Russian invasion was a “murder of peaceful people”. The war in Ukraine is not a war “somewhere there”. “This is a war in Europe and on the borders with the EU,” stressed Olena Selenska.
If Russian President Vladimir Putin is not stopped, there will be no safe place. “I know it sounds like a terrible dream. But this is our new reality. We live in it. And we don’t know how long it will last. But we will win for sure.”
The wife of President Volodymyr Zelenskyj had previously worked as a writer for the former comedian and actor’s production company. The couple have two children themselves.
Zelenska calls for no-fly zone over Ukraine
She strove to emphasize the impact of the Russian attack on civilians in particular. “Our streets are flooded with refugees,” she said. “Look into the eyes of these weary women and children who carry the heartache of leaving behind loved ones and life as they knew it.”
She pointed to the problems faced by sick people in obtaining vital medical treatment. “How easy is it to inject insulin in the basement? Or get asthma medication under heavy fire?” she asked. “Not to mention the thousands of cancer patients whose vital access to chemotherapy and radiation has now been indefinitely delayed.”
She repeated her husband’s call for NATO to set up a no-fly zone over Ukraine. “Close heaven, and on earth we will make it ourselves.”
According to the UN, more than two million people have fled Ukraine. The UN recently counted at least 406 civilians killed, although according to its own statements the number is probably far too low.