<p>While there is an imminent threat to his life, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has chosen to stay put in his homeland. Russia has invaded several parts of Ukraine and most citizens of the country have been trying to flee their homes amid heavy bombing and air raids from the Russian side.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Through constant addresses to his nation, Zelensky is assuring his people that he will stay and fight the war.&nbsp;<br />
“The enemy has marked me down as the number one target. My family is the number two target. They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state. I will stay in the capital. My family is also in Ukraine,” Zelensky said in a video statement Friday.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-sceptical-but-say-will-try-dialogue-with-russia-457239">Zelensky sceptical, but says will 'try' dialogue with Russia</a></strong><br />
<br />
Not just Zelensky but his wife Olena Zelenska has decided to stay with her husband. The couple married in 2003 and share two children together.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Speaking in support of her husband, the first lady of Ukraine too has been continuously communicating with the people of her country on social media.<br />
<br />
In a rousing Instagram post on Friday, she wrote, “My dear people! Ukrainians! I’m looking at you all today. Everyone I see on TV, on the streets, on the Internet. I see your posts and videos. And you know what? You are incredible! I am proud to live with you in the same country!”<br />
<br />
“And today I will not have panic and tears. I will be calm and confident. My children are looking at me. I will be next to them. And next to my husband. And with you.”<br />
<br />
In another where she shared a photo of a baby, Zelenska wrote “This child was born in the Kyiv bomb shelter. This was to take place in completely different conditions, under peaceful skies. It is what children should see… We are the army, the army is us. And children born in bomb shelters will live in a peaceful country that has defended itself.</p>

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<p><strong>Who is Olena Zelensky?</strong><br />
<br />
The first lady of Ukraine was born in 1978 in Kryvyi Rih. She reportedly studied architecture but changed her profession to writing eventually. She is one of the co-founder of a production house called Studio Kvartal 95 and is credited for writing shows and films that have aired in the country.<br />
<br />
As Ukraine's first lady, she has worked towards nutrition reform at the school level. She also played a key role in the development of the National Strategy that includes areas such as gender safety and cultural diplomacy, as noted by the Ukrainian Women’s Congress.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-vladimir-putin-orders-deterrence-forces-on-high-alert-457165">Russian President Vladimir Putin orders 'deterrence forces' on high alert</a></strong></p>


While there is an imminent threat to his life, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has chosen to stay put in his homeland. Russia has invaded several parts of Ukraine and most citizens of the country have been trying to flee their homes amid heavy bombing and air raids from the Russian side.

While there is an imminent threat to his life, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has chosen to stay put in his homeland. Russia has invaded several parts of Ukraine and most citizens of the country have been trying to flee their homes amid heavy bombing and air raids from the Russian side. Through constant addresses to his nation, Zelensky is assuring his people that he will stay and fight the war. “The enemy has marked me down as the number one target. My family is the number two target. They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state. I will stay in the capital. My family is also in Ukraine,” Zelensky said in a video statement Friday. Also Read: Zelensky sceptical, but says will 'try' dialogue with Russia Not just Zelensky but his wife Olena Zelenska has decided to stay with her husband. The couple married in 2003 and share two children together. Speaking in support of her husband, the first lady of Ukraine too has been continuously communicating with the people of her country on social media. In a rousing Instagram post on Friday, she wrote, “My dear people! Ukrainians! I’m looking at you all today. Everyone I see on TV, on the streets, on the Internet. I see your posts and videos. And you know what? You are incredible! I am proud to live with you in the same country!” “And today I will not have panic and tears. I will be calm and confident. My children are looking at me. I will be next to them. And next to my husband. And with you.” In another where she shared a photo of a baby, Zelenska wrote “This child was born in the Kyiv bomb shelter. This was to take place in completely different conditions, under peaceful skies. It is what children should see… We are the army, the army is us. And children born in bomb shelters will live in a peaceful country that has defended itself. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Olena Zelenska (@olenazelenska_official) × Who is Olena Zelensky? The first lady of Ukraine was born in 1978 in Kryvyi Rih. She reportedly studied architecture but changed her profession to writing eventually. She is one of the co-founder of a production house called Studio Kvartal 95 and is credited for writing shows and films that have aired in the country. As Ukraine's first lady, she has worked towards nutrition reform at the school level. She also played a key role in the development of the National Strategy that includes areas such as gender safety and cultural diplomacy, as noted by the Ukrainian Women’s Congress. Also Read: Russian President Vladimir Putin orders 'deterrence forces' on high alert

Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska shares emotional post in support of her husband President Zelensky

<p>Ukraine accused Russia on Tuesday of doing nothing to prevent what it called pro-Moscow separatists' "acts of terrorism" in eastern Ukraine, including the 2014 downing of a Malaysia Airlines flight. Ukraine's deputy foreign minister Olena Zerkal made the claim before judges at the International Court of Justice in The Hague on the second day of arguments in a case brought by Kyiv against Moscow.</p>

<p>On Monday, Russia argued that Ukraine had failed to present any new evidence against it and called on the court to dismiss the case. Zerkal responded on Tuesday by blaming Russia for failing to prevent deadly violence in Ukraine.</p>

<p>"Did it stop the financing of terrorism in Ukraine? No. Did it help us find the authors of terrorist acts? No," she said.</p>

<p>"Result? Flight MH17 was shot down. There have been bomb attacks, rockets have fallen in residential districts. Hundreds of people have been killed or wounded, thousands have been intimidated."</p>

<p>The destruction of flight MH17 killed all 298 people on board the civilian airliner. Ukraine launched the case against Russia in 2017 under international laws on the financing of terrorism. It is seeking damages for attacks against civilians it says the separatists have carried out in eastern Ukraine, including the downing of flight MH17.</p>

<p>It says Moscow supplied the BUK surface-to-air missile system used to shoot down the flight, something Russia has repeatedly denied. On Monday, Russia argued that the ICJ had no jurisdiction in the case.</p>

<p>Zerkal argued on Tuesday: "Russia denies what the whole world knows. It is seeking to clear itself of its responsibility." Hearings in the case will continue until Friday. The conflict in eastern Ukraine started five years ago and has so far claimed 13,000 lives, according to UN estimates.</p>


Ukraine accused Russia on Tuesday of doing nothing to prevent what it called pro-Moscow separatists' "acts of terrorism" in eastern Ukraine, including the 2014 downing of a Malaysia Airlines flight.

Ukraine accused Russia on Tuesday of doing nothing to prevent what it called pro-Moscow separatists' "acts of terrorism" in eastern Ukraine, including the 2014 downing of a Malaysia Airlines flight. Ukraine's deputy foreign minister Olena Zerkal made the claim before judges at the International Court of Justice in The Hague on the second day of arguments in a case brought by Kyiv against Moscow. On Monday, Russia argued that Ukraine had failed to present any new evidence against it and called on the court to dismiss the case. Zerkal responded on Tuesday by blaming Russia for failing to prevent deadly violence in Ukraine. "Did it stop the financing of terrorism in Ukraine? No. Did it help us find the authors of terrorist acts? No," she said. "Result? Flight MH17 was shot down. There have been bomb attacks, rockets have fallen in residential districts. Hundreds of people have been killed or wounded, thousands have been intimidated." The destruction of flight MH17 killed all 298 people on board the civilian airliner. Ukraine launched the case against Russia in 2017 under international laws on the financing of terrorism. It is seeking damages for attacks against civilians it says the separatists have carried out in eastern Ukraine, including the downing of flight MH17. It says Moscow supplied the BUK surface-to-air missile system used to shoot down the flight, something Russia has repeatedly denied. On Monday, Russia argued that the ICJ had no jurisdiction in the case. Zerkal argued on Tuesday: "Russia denies what the whole world knows. It is seeking to clear itself of its responsibility." Hearings in the case will continue until Friday. The conflict in eastern Ukraine started five years ago and has so far claimed 13,000 lives, according to UN estimates.

Ukraine accuses Russia of failing to stop terrorism

<p>Ukraine called on Friday before an international tribunal for the "urgent" release of its sailors held by Russia since their International Tribunal was captured off Crimea last November.</p>

<p>The diplomatic incident has heightened tensions between the neighbours locked in conflict for the last five years.</p>

<p>Ukraine's deputy foreign minister Olena Zerkal, addressing the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in the German city of Hamburg, called for the immediate release of the 24 sailors being held in Moscow.</p>

<p>Russia accuses the Ukrainian sailors of violating its maritime borders.</p>

<p>Last November, Russia opened fire upon, then captured the sailors manning three Ukrainian vessels off Crimea, which were trying to pass through the Kerch Strait from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov.</p>

<p>Zerkal described the sailors' continued detention as "just an additional illustration of Russia's continued disrespect for international law".</p>

<p>"From the moment of the detentions, Ukraine has worked urgently to solve this matter", said Zerkal who insisted her country has given "Russia every opportunity to settle the issue by diplomatic means".</p>

<p>She described Russia's conduct as "a profound violation" of "international law" and demanded the "urgent" release of the sailors.</p>

<p>"Each additional day of detentions, each interrogation, each court case aggravates the dispute between the parties".</p>

<p>Russia did not send representatives to the hearing in Hamburg as it does not recognise the court's jurisdiction. Zerkal greeted its absence with "regret".</p>

<p>Outgoing Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has insisted the sailors are "prisoners of war" and described their detention as "blatant proof that Russia continues to show cynical disrespect for human rights".</p>

<p>"We expect that in a matter of weeks the Tribunal will oblige Russia to release our sailors and Ukrainian ships, and its actions will be considered illegitimate," Poroshenko said in a statement last month.</p>

<p>"Russia still has a chance to free our sailors and ships without waiting for the formal recognition of the international crime committed by the Kremlin."</p>

<p>The Ukrainian sailors face up to six years in prison for illegally crossing Russian borders, lawyers have said.</p>

<p>Critics of the Kremlin have accused Russia of preparing a show trial.</p>

<p>The capture of the Ukrainian ships was the most dangerous direct clash in years between the ex-Soviet neighbours.</p>

<p>They have been locked in a confrontation since 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and supported an insurgency in eastern Ukraine. More than 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict.</p>


Ukraine called on Friday before an international tribunal for the "urgent" release of its sailors held by Russia since their International Tribunal was captured off Crimea last November.

Ukraine called on Friday before an international tribunal for the "urgent" release of its sailors held by Russia since their International Tribunal was captured off Crimea last November. The diplomatic incident has heightened tensions between the neighbours locked in conflict for the last five years. Ukraine's deputy foreign minister Olena Zerkal, addressing the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in the German city of Hamburg, called for the immediate release of the 24 sailors being held in Moscow. Russia accuses the Ukrainian sailors of violating its maritime borders. Last November, Russia opened fire upon, then captured the sailors manning three Ukrainian vessels off Crimea, which were trying to pass through the Kerch Strait from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov. Zerkal described the sailors' continued detention as "just an additional illustration of Russia's continued disrespect for international law". "From the moment of the detentions, Ukraine has worked urgently to solve this matter", said Zerkal who insisted her country has given "Russia every opportunity to settle the issue by diplomatic means". She described Russia's conduct as "a profound violation" of "international law" and demanded the "urgent" release of the sailors. "Each additional day of detentions, each interrogation, each court case aggravates the dispute between the parties". Russia did not send representatives to the hearing in Hamburg as it does not recognise the court's jurisdiction. Zerkal greeted its absence with "regret". Outgoing Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has insisted the sailors are "prisoners of war" and described their detention as "blatant proof that Russia continues to show cynical disrespect for human rights". "We expect that in a matter of weeks the Tribunal will oblige Russia to release our sailors and Ukrainian ships, and its actions will be considered illegitimate," Poroshenko said in a statement last month. "Russia still has a chance to free our sailors and ships without waiting for the formal recognition of the international crime committed by the Kremlin." The Ukrainian sailors face up to six years in prison for illegally crossing Russian borders, lawyers have said. Critics of the Kremlin have accused Russia of preparing a show trial. The capture of the Ukrainian ships was the most dangerous direct clash in years between the ex-Soviet neighbours. They have been locked in a confrontation since 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and supported an insurgency in eastern Ukraine. More than 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

Ukraine demands release of navy sailors held by Russia

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Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska shares emotional post in support of her husband President Zelensky

Ukraine accuses Russia of failing to stop terrorism

Ukraine demands release of navy sailors held by Russia