Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused evacuation as Russian hitmen ‘parachuted’ into Kyiv
Ukrainian president turned down opportunity to leave capital despite threat to life, adviser claims
A close adviser to Volodymyr Zelenskyy has revealed how the Ukrainian president refused to be evacuated from Kyiv even as Russian assassination squads tried to storm the capital to kill him.
Oleksiy Arestovych, a veteran of Ukraine’s military intelligence service, told Time that as the president’s HQ came under attack at the start of the invasion, those inside defended themselves with automatic weapons and built rudimentary defences.
Describing the scene, Arestovych said: “It was an absolute madhouse. Automatics for everyone. The place was wide open. We didn’t even have concrete blocks to close the street.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The military then “informed Zelenskyy that Russian strike teams had parachuted into Kyiv to kill or capture him and his family”, the magazine said. Both UK and US forces then “offered to evacuate Zelenskyy and allow him to set up a government in exile”, The Telegraph reported. “But he never seriously thought about it.”
Explaining his decision not to flee, Zelenskyy told Time that he was sending a message to the people of Ukraine. “You understand that they’re watching,” he said. “You’re a symbol. You need to act the way the head of state must act.”
In the early days of the invasion, the president would wake before dawn and have his first meeting with his top general at 5am, “before the light began peeking through the sandbags in the windows of the compound”, Time reported.
As the war progressed, it then became “typical for the president and his staff to gather around a phone or laptop in the bunker”, the magazine added, “cursing images of devastation or cheering a drone strike on a Russian tank”.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Italian senate passes law allowing anti-abortion activists into clinics
Under The Radar Giorgia Meloni scores a political 'victory' but will it make much difference in practice?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Magazine interactive crossword - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
The murky role of military contractors in war
The Explainer A civil case against US company has revived debate over the increasing use of private security firms in military operations
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
How would we know if World War Three had started?
Today's Big Question With conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific, the 'spark' that could ignite all-out war 'already exists'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Iran attack hinder support for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Pro-Kyiv allies cry 'hypocrisy' and 'double standards' even as the US readies new support package
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
The issue of women and conscription
Under the radar Ukraine military adviser hints at widening draft to women, as other countries weigh defence options amid global insecurity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why is Ukraine backing far-right militias in Russia?
Today's Big Question The role of the fighters is a 'double-edged sword' for Kyiv, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's unconventional approach to reconstruction
Under the radar Digitally savvy nation uses popular app to file compensation claims, access funds and rebuild destroyed homes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What does victory now look like for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Not losing is as important as winning as the tide turns in Russia's favour again
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Where has the Wagner Group gone?
Today's Big Question Kremlin takes control of Russian mercenaries after aborted mutiny and death of leadership
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published