Arnold Schwarzenegger has released a powerful video message aimed at Russian citizens about the war in Ukraine.
Last month Russian president Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of the eastern European country, falsely claiming that it was a humanitarian endeavour to save the Ukrainian people from "Nazi" behaviour.
In reality the war is an attempt to recapture the country - and has seen Russian forces kill innocent civilians, bombing schools, hospitals and residential buildings.
Within Russia, reporting of the events is tightly controlled by the Kremlin, who have branded the war a "special military operation" and have attempted to shut down broadcasters, websites and social media networks that do not comply with the narrative.
In a nine-minute video address, 74-year-old Schwarzenegger - former governor of California - appeals to the Russian people to reject misinformation and explains the reality of the situation in Ukraine, showing footage of the destruction caused by Russian forces.
"I'm speaking to you today because there are things going on in the world that are being kept from you, terrible things that you should know about," he says.
"Ukraine did not start this war, neither did nationalists or Nazis," he continues, pointing out that Russian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is Jewish and had relatives who were murdered by Nazis.
The video has already been seen more than 25 million times on Twitter alone and is trending on the platform in Russia.
I love the Russian people. That is why I have to tell you the truth. Please watch and share. pic.twitter.com/6gyVRhgpFV
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) March 17, 2022
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