Hollywood legend Arnold Schwarzenegger has invoked his 'broken' Nazi father in a powerful nine-minute video addressing the Russian people and Vladimir Putin. You can watch it below:
Schwarzengger's father Gustav was a member of the Nazi's paramilitary SA. He was also part of the Germany army during the siege of Leningrad (modern day St Petersburg).
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Gustav died in 1972.
Arnold said he was sending his video message through various channels to his 'dear Russian friends and the Russian soldiers serving in Ukraine'.
In a powerful message, he compared the lies of Putin's propaganda to the lies his father was fed by the German Nazi government - urging ordinary Russian soldiers to wake up to the horrors of the war in Ukraine.
He said: “When my father arrived in Leningrad, he was all pumped up on the lies of his government. When he left Leningrad, he was broken – physically and mentally.
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“He lived the rest of his life in pain. Pain from a broken back, pain from the shrapnel that always reminded him of those terrible years. And pain from the guilt that he felt.
"To the Russian soldiers listening to this broadcast, you already know much of the truth that I’m speaking. You’ve seen it in your own eyes. I don’t want you to be broken like my father.”
Elsewhere in the video message, which he shared on Twitter, he spoke of being inspired by Russian figures as a child, including Olympic gold medallist weightlifter Yury Petrovich Vlasov.
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The 74-year-old said: “The strength and the heart of the Russian people have always inspired me.
“That is why I hope that you will let me tell you the truth about the war in Ukraine and what is happening there.
"No one likes to hear something critical of their government, I understand that.
"But as a longtime friend of the Russian people, I hope that you will hear what I have to say.”
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He then spoke directly to the Russian president: "To President Putin, I say: You started this war. You are leading this war. You can stop this war."
The action hero turned politician went on to shoot down claims made by the Kremlin, who have tried to justify the Ukrainian invasion as their way to 'de-nazify Ukraine'.
He wanted to educate the Russian people, who have less access to information after the Kremlin blocked external news, media, and internet from the country.
Schwarzenegger explained to Russian viewers that the war has been provoked by their country and has been declared illegal by 141 nations at the UN.
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In what may be surprising words for the Russian people, the legendary actor also detailed how many civilian buildings have been bombed and how thousands of Russian soldiers have died.
Schwarzenegger then went on to describe those protesting the war in Russia as his 'new heroes'.
He said: “To all of the Russians who have been protesting in the streets against the invasion of Ukraine: the world has seen your bravery.
“We know you have suffered the consequences of your courage. You have been arrested, you have been jailed and you have been beaten.
"You are my new heroes. … You have the true heart of Russia.”
The action hero’s message was met with praise from both fans and followers and is now spreading rapidly on Twitter, where it has been retweeted more than 280,000 times.
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.
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/AlamyTopics: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Russia, Ukraine