Two devastating photos have surfaced showing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy just 40 days apart – and the difference is unmistakeable.
The war in Ukraine has been labouring on for nearly six weeks, but Zelenskyy’s dedication and resolve remain as tangible as ever.
The Ukrainian president has swiftly become a globally-recognised hero, commanding audiences from around the world and encouraging them to help in any way they can.
However, the war has inevitably taken its toll on this heroic man, something that is incontestable when viewing two photographs taken of him just 41 days apart.
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According to Reddit, the first picture was taken on the 23 February – the last day of peace in Ukraine.
The second was reportedly taken yesterday (4 April) in Bucha, after he publicly addressed the atrocities that have surfaced there.
The photos send a powerful message to the world, depicting Zelenskyy as defiant, unrelenting, but undoubtedly tired.
Reddit users offered up words of support for the Ukrainian president, as one wrote: “The second photo is just heart-breaking. Stay strong and don’t give up.”
Another person said: “Never wanted to hug a person more in my life!”
“That’s a lot of emotion to process in one photo,” commented a third.
A fourth wrote: “This man is an absolute hero, the way he’s stayed and fought and brought up morale, gives me the shivers. What a leader.”
“Guy has set a standard that very few world leaders will ever meet,” added another.
The pictures come in light of the news of Bucha, a Ukrainian town that has seen unimaginable death and destruction.
Yesterday, Zelenskyy visited the town after Russian troops withdrew from the area.
Addressing reporters at the site of the alleged war crimes, Zelenskyy said thousands of civilians had been raped, tortured and murdered.
"It's very difficult to talk. It's very difficult to negotiate when you see what they did here," he said.
"Every day we find people in barrels, cellars and everywhere else, some strangled, some clearly tortured."
He continued: "These are war crimes and will be recognised by the world as genocide. You are here today and can see what happened.
"We know of thousands of people killed and tortured, with severed limbs, raped women, murdered children. I think it is more than ... this is a genocide."
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information
Topics: Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, World News
Abbi Murray