Both unlikely leaders who rose to the challenge, two Ukrainians have achieved the status of war heroes, inspiring not only their country but also the rest of the world with their valor and tenacity in the face of danger.
Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelensky was born in 1978 in the southern region of Ukraine to parents who were Jewish. After settling down for a period of four years in Mongolia, his family eventually relocated back to their native country.
He attended classes at the Kyiv National Economic University and received his law degree after graduating in the year 2000.
After then, the focus shifted to acting. During his time as a student, he developed an interest in the theatre, and from 1997 to 2003, he was a cast member on an improv show shown on Ukrainian television.
Zelensky established a television production company in 2003, and he remained its creative director until 2011. Because of his leadership, the recording studio evolved into one of the most profitable in the nation.
After that, he became a leading man in a few comedic farces. In addition to that, he attempted his hand at directing two romantic comedies, the first of which was titled “8 First Dates,” and the second was titled “8 New Dates.”
He made an appearance on “Dancing with the Stars” and ended up winning the competition. Additionally, in the Ukrainian adaptation of the films, he provided the voice of Paddington the bear.
In 2014, at the same time as the Ukrainian President at the time was overthrown, Zelensky starred in a new program called “Servant of the People,” which was about a school teacher who made an unexpected rise to power and became the President of Ukraine. The show ended up being a big success.
The plot then took another major twist. He made the decision to follow in the footsteps of his artistry and run for president of Ukraine in 2019, and his fame was enough to earn him 73 percent of the vote.
The first time that most Americans were exposed to Zelensky was during the first impeachment trial involving Donald Trump. During that trial, Trump attempted to exert pressure on Zelensky to probe Hunter Biden in exchange for obtaining assistance, but Zelensky refused to do so.
You already know how this story ends: a man who had no previous involvement in politics became the nation’s leader and staunchly opposed Russian occupation. Zelensky has transformed himself into a contemporary version of Winston Churchill, going so far as to quote him in his determination to defend his country.
Vitali Klitschko is another unusual war hero who rose to the occasion. He was born in the USSR fifty years ago, and at the age of thirteen, he discovered a passion for boxing. Both he and his brother Wladimir took up amateur boxing, and Vitali went on to win a gold medal in the sport.
In 1996, Vitali received his degree from the Pedagogical Institute of Ukraine and then went on to complete his doctoral studies at Kyiv University. In the end, he earned a doctorate in the field of sports science.
Both Vitali and Wladimir went on to have successful careers as professional boxers after turning pro in 1996.
The 6’7″ After winning the WBC championship and retiring in 2005, Vitali made a comeback to the sport in 2008.
Vitali was a significant figure in the Orange Revolution of 2004 in Ukraine and made unsuccessful bids for the office of mayor of Kyiv on two separate occasions.
In the year 2010, Vitali assumed his position as head of the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform. In 2013, he decided to pursue a career in politics instead of holding the WBC title.
In 2014, Vitali won the election to become the Mayor of Kyiv, and he has held that position since.
Although he has served as a well-liked city official for almost 8 years at this point, his previous role did not put him at the center of the controversy. In any case, he is currently in this position, and his determination is identical to that of Zelensky’s; both men are ready to put their lives on the line for their nation and engage in combat. Both have been recognized on a global scale, demonstrating that professional politicians are not the only ones who can succeed in politics.
