Known for his social media prowess and underdog positioning in the conflict with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has become a household name around the world. Once a comedian and actor, Zelenskyy starred in “Servant of the People”–a sitcom about a schoolteacher who becomes president. In 2018, after Russia invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea, Zelenskyy actually ran for office on an anti-corruption platform. He won the presidential election in 2019.
In February 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine once again and Zelenskyy became a target. Despite foreign offers to evacuate Ukraine’s leader and transport him to safety, Zelenskyy chose to stay in Kyiv. He has gained notoriety for his willingness to fight alongside his citizens and document it on social media for the world to witness.