Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008. He was also the Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012.
LGBTQ+ Ukrainians fight for their country, and their rights
Before Russia invaded Ukraine three weeks ago, Oleg used to get up early every day to walk his dogs along the wide, French-inspired boulevards of the capital, Kyiv.
He had been planning a cycling trip to Odessa on the country’s Black Sea coast. But three days after Russian tanks rolled across the border, Oleg, a 22-year-old bisexual man and former beer sommelier, began a very different life – signing up to serve in the Ukrainian armed forces along with his father. “My favourite places in Kyiv are now in ruins,” said Oleg, whose mother and younger brother managed to flee to Germany, joining more than 3 million Ukrainians who have left the country since Russia invaded on Feb.
24. “I try to call them every day and communicate. I miss them very much, but I’m glad they are safe, and they don’t need to hide in basements and bomb shelters,” Oleg, who declined to give his surname for security reasons, said from Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy banned men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country when Russia invaded, asking them instead to fight for their country, and many LGBTQ+ people have responded to his request.
