Zelensky's Wife Reveals How They Learned About the Russian Invasion

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's family has been forbidden from staying with him. Since the beginning of the war, Zelensky has only communicated with his wife and children via phone. This was revealed by Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska in an interview with Vogue magazine.

When asked how she learned about the invasion, Olena Zelenska stated, "I woke up around four to five in the morning from the noise. I didn’t immediately understand it was an explosion. My husband was not in bed; he was already dressed in a suit as usual. That was the last time I saw him in a suit; afterwards, he only wore military uniforms. ‘It has begun’ is all he said," she recounted.

Zelensky advised her to gather essential items and documents, left the house, and asked her to wait for further instructions.

“In those first days, I had hoped that we could stay with him. But the presidential residence turned into a military facility, and we were forbidden from staying there with the children. We were ordered to move to a safe place, if such a place could even be found in Ukraine right now. Since then, we communicate with Volodymyr only via phone,” Olena Zelenska added.

When asked how she explained the situation to their 9-year-old son and 17-year-old daughter, she replied that there was no need to explain anything; the children know everything, like every child in Ukraine. “Everyone understands and feels. You can hide nothing from them. So, the best strategy is the truth. We discuss everything happening in the country together. I try to answer their questions because I have realized that talking about painful topics and not silencing yourself is a proven psychological strategy; it works,” said Olena Zelenska.

The full interview is available here.