Russian-speaking regions back Zelensky for Ukraine president In his startling run to become Ukraine's next president, comedian Volodymyr Zelensky has enjoyed a key advantage over his rivals: strong support from the country's Russian-speaking regions. Despite vowing to keep Ukraine on a pro-Western course, Zelensky is polling particularly well in areas of the country where Russian speakers make up large parts of the population. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES of Kryvyi Rig residents, Volodymyr Zelensky's hometown