What to know about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The Ukrainian president has had to deal with increased tension between Russia and the West over the last two years.

Until his surprise election in 2019, Volodymyr Zelenskyy played a president on TV.

Today, the 44-year-old is leading Ukraine as it faces an invasion from Russia, facing a threat to his rule and perhaps his life, from President Vladimir Putin.

Addressing Ukrainians on television Thursday, at the end of the first day of the invasion, Zelenskyy said he had information Russia "has identified me as target No. 1 and my family as No. 2."

"They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state," the president said in the televised speech.