Volodymyr Zelenskyy has shared a video of himself after Russia hacked a Ukrainian TV channel to air a fake statement claiming to be from the president calling on citizens to surrender. You can watch the moment the presenters realise the fake message is scrolling along the ticker here:
The cyber attack on news channel Ukraine 24 saw a fake banner appear on the broadcast which claimed to be from the Ukrainian president and in which he said he was ‘capitulating’ and told citizens to ‘give up arms’.
However, shortly after the hack - Zelenskyy shared a clip rubbishing the claims,
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He went on to say he had not made such a statement, adding that ‘the only ones who should give up arms are Russian soldiers’.
He said (as per CNN): "I can only ask the Russian military to give up arms and return home. We are home already, we are defending our land, our children. We are not going to give up any arms until our victory."
Prior to Zelenskyy’s clip, Ukrainians flocked to social media to warn others about the false statement.
One Twitter user wrote: “WARNING! Ukraine 24 TV channel has been hacked! Now they are broadcasting a text tape with a fake address by Volodymyr Zelensky. We emphasise that no one is going to capitulate.”
Another said: “Enemy hackers have hacked the TV channel Ukraine 24 and are broadcasting Zelenskyy's message about the alleged 'surrender'. IT'S FAKE! Nobody is going to give up.”
Earlier today, Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov gave hope that part of a possible peace deal between the two countries was within reach.
He told RBC News: “I am guided by the assessments given by our negotiators. They say that the negotiations are not easy for obvious reasons. But nevertheless, there is some hope of reaching a compromise.
“Neutral status [for Kyiv] is now being seriously discussed along, of course, with security guarantees.
“Now this very thing is being discussed in negotiations - there are absolutely specific formulations which in my view are close to agreement.”
In his most recent nightly address, Zelenskyy said: "We all want peace. As soon as possible. We all want to win.
"And there is always a feeling that a little more, and we will get what belongs to us, Ukraine, by right.
"But efforts are still needed. It takes patience. We still have to fight. And work - everyone in their place. Everyone. In particular, our representatives, our delegation in negotiations with the Russian Federation.
"It is important. It is difficult, but important, because any war ends in an agreement.
"Meetings continue. As I am told, the positions in the negotiations sound more realistic. However, time is still needed for the decisions to be in Ukraine's interests."
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.
Claire Reid