Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ukraine president follows Madonna on Instagram after she posts divisive musical montage about Russian invasion

Others have criticised the post, which features footage of the singer dancing alongside footage from Ukraine, as ‘narcissistic’

Annabel Nugent
Saturday 26 February 2022 10:59 EST
Comments
‘Don’t panic’: Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy declares martial law

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Ukrainian president Vlodymyr Zelensky has followed Madonna on Instagram after she posted a video montage in support of Ukraine.

The singer took to social media on Friday (25 February) to voice her support for the country amid Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Madonna condemned Russia’s “pointless and greed driven invasion”, adding that “Putin has violated every human rights accord in existence”.

The 63-year-old wrote: “We support you President Zelensky!! We are praying for you and your country!”

Madonna’s caption accompanied a video she had posted, which featured footage of Ukraine and Putin alongside clips of herself dancing and singing to her 2006 track “Sorry”.

Lyrics from the song appear on screen, including: “Lies” and “I can’t take it”.

President Zelensky (Instagram account @zelenskiy_official) has since followed Madonna on Instagram.

Other people, however, criticised the Grammy award-winner over her video, calling it “narcissistic” and “tone-deaf”.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers his speech addressing the nation in Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers his speech addressing the nation in Kyiv (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office)

“Omg girl… not the edit!! How people is dying and you made it about you?” commented one person.

Ukraine’s health minister Viktor Liashko has said that 198 Ukrainians, including three children, have been killed since Russia’s invasion began.

Liashko added that 1,115 people have been injured, including 33 children, according to operation data.

Madonna pressed her audience to vote for Obama, then observed, 'for better or for worse… we have a black Muslim in the White House, OK?'
Madonna pressed her audience to vote for Obama, then observed, 'for better or for worse… we have a black Muslim in the White House, OK?' (Getty Images)

UK armed forces minister James Heappey said that Russia’s invasion plan is “nowhere near running to schedule” amid fierce resistance from the Ukrainian people.

You can follow along with updates at The Independent’s Russia-Ukraine liveblog here.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in