FT Told Of A Top Russian Official Calling Kiev In The Early Days Of The War

Putin's deputy chief of staff was sent to hell.

In the first hours of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as Kiev prepared for an assault, the head of the Presidential Office Andrey Yermak and President Vladimir Zelensky himself carried assault rifles, preparing for the worst-case scenario. That's when the call from the Kremlin went out, the Financial Times reported.

"The rifles were to make their way to the exit ... or die with dignity," one of the president's aides recalled.

"I wasn't afraid for myself," Yermak said, "I was afraid for my family and the Ukrainian people."

In the early days of the attack, Yermak received a call from Moscow. On the line was Dmitry Kozak, Putin's deputy chief of staff.

"Convince Zelensky to surrender, or there will be a full-scale destruction," Kozak threatened.

Yermak was not confused and replied briefly and decisively:

"Go to hell!"

After that, Yermak hung up. This moment was a demonstration of willingness to resist to the last.

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