Arnold Schwarzenegger has issued an impassioned message to the people of Russia about the war their country is waging on Ukraine, urging them not to believe misinformation and to help stop the invasion.
In a nine-minute video posted on his social media accounts, the Terminator star said the Kremlin is intentionally lying to Russians about the invasion being intended to "denazify" Ukraine, noting the country's leader President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is Jewish and his uncles were murdered in the Holocaust.
Europe's biggest invasion since World War II has ravaged Ukrainian cities, sent more than 3 million refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries and killed a large, currently unknown number of civilians.
"Ukraine did not start this war, neither did nationalists or Nazis - this is not the Russian people's war," Schwarzenegger said.
"Your lives, your limbs, your futures have been sacrificed for a senseless war... When I see babies being pulled out of ruins, I think that I'm watching a documentary about the horrors of the Second World War, not the news of the day."
His father - who fought with the Nazis - was injured in Leningrad, where he arrived "all pumped up on the lies of his government" during World War II, Schwarzenegger said.
But by the time he left, "he was broken, physically and mentally" he added, living out the rest of his days suffering pain and guilt.
"I don't want you to be broken like my father," Schwarzenegger said to the people of Russia.
He also appealed directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the attack.
It is unclear how much people in Russia know about the war as Putin's regime has cut access to independent news sources and social media providers, imposing severe penalties on anyone caught broadcasting the truth.
Schwarzenegger asked Russians to share what they could about the "human catastrophe" and told Russian protesters the world is watching.
"The world has seen your bravery. We know you have suffered the consequences of your courage," he said. "You are my new heroes."
In the video, Schwarzenegger talks at length about his affection for the people of Russia and his visits to the country over the years.
He captioned the post: "I love the Russian people. That is why I have to tell you the truth."
Newshub. / Reuters
