Olena Zelenska: Get To Know Ukraine's First Lady & What She Is Saying About The War

Who is Olena Zelenska: One of the most influential women in Ukraine, Olena Zelenska is more than just the First Lady. She is married to President Volodymyr Zelensky but her credentials go beyond that title. From her seat of power, Zelenska has advocated extensively for social causes like gender equality and engaged herself in diplomatic work, which reflects effective steps taken to expand her country's reach in the global arena of representation.

Ever since Russia began invading Ukraine this week, distressing visuals of bombing, destruction and military action are surfacing from ground zero. Evacuations are urgently in process as countries scramble to bring back their citizens as geopolitical tensions escalate. Ukrainians are taking cover in basements and empty stations, fearing for their safety.

Though there appears to be an imminent threat to his life as he would have been marked by the aggressors as the top target, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has refused to leave his homeland. Through constant addresses to his nation, Zelensky is assuring his people that he will stay and fight the war. He is not going anywhere. Zelenska is staying put with him.

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"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.

Zelensky and Zelenska, who married in 2003, have two children together.

Zelenska has also been communicating with the people of her country by way of social media. In a rousing Instagram post 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."

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In a second post on war, she wrote alongside a photo of a baby, "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."

Know who is Olena Zelenska

According to her profile, Zelenska was born in 1978 in Kryvyi Rih. She received an education in architecture but later turned to writing. She is one of the co-founders of Studio Kvartal 95, Ukraine's most prominent entertainment production company, and is credited for writing content on shows and films.

As First Lady, her work towards nutrition reform at the school-level is specially marked. 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. Zelenska also initiated Ukraine's accession to the Biarritz Partnership, a G7 plan for gender equality.

Image: UNIAN