Olena Zelenska has not seen her husband for more than a month.
The first woman in Ukraine Olena Zelenska tells the American newspaper Vogue what it was like on the morning of February 24, when Russia invaded Ukraine.
The day before was still ordinary.
– It was hard to even imagine that something could happen in the modern world even though there was a lot of talk about it, says 44-year-old Zelenska Voguelle
Olena Zelenska is escaping with her children in a secret place. AOP
Olena woke up in the morning at four, five loud. His wife, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi was not in bed but on top of the suit on.
“It’s started,” she said, and nothing else, Zelenska repeated her husband’s words.
Since then, Zelenska has no longer seen her husband in a suit and collared shirt, but has been replaced by green army-style clothing.
Of course, the children immediately became concerned. The couple has children aged 9 and 17. Zelenskyi ordered the collection of all important papers and goods.
– We weren’t in a panic. Perhaps confusion is the right word to describe the beginning of the war.
Zelenska hopes she could have stayed with her husband, but that was not possible. Zelenska and the children had to leave their homes because the president’s apartment had become a military target. They now live in a safer place, possibly still in Kiev.
– Or I do not know whether any place in Ukraine is safe.
Zelenska tells how she is as smiling, energetic as possible in front of her children and explains things thoroughly.
– I have told them why it is necessary to go to the basement and why the lights should not be turned on.
Volodymyr and Olena met at Kryvyi Rih University in 1995. Olena studied architecture, Volodymyr law. They married in 2003. AOP
The children, of course, ask because they see their father again.
– I try to be as optimistic as possible. I have answered that question “soon”.
They have not seen Zelensky for more than a month, and communication has taken place over the phone.
Zelenska says that despite her optimism, she is not trying to cover up what is happening in Ukraine now and there has been a lot of talk about the war.
– You can’t hide things from children. Yes, they can see.
This is how the couple looked so happy in December 2021. AOP
Olena Zelenska is asked in an interview with Vogue whether the Russian attack on the Mariupol Maternity Hospital was the moment when the “border” of warfare was crossed.
– The border was crossed on the first day. First! Russia has lied and continues to lie, claiming attacks on military targets. Already on the 24th day of their attack killed a civilian. And as the war progressed, we lost children.
Oksana says he hopes other countries will see what kind of message Russia is sending. That message is not just for Ukrainians.
– Their message is aimed at the whole world. And the message is that all this can happen to any country that Russia does not like.