WATCH: Arnold Schwarzenegger hits Russia with hard truths in powerful speech

"President Putin – you started this war, you are leading this war, you can stop this war."

Acting icon Arnold Schwarzenegger has delivered a passionate address to the Russian people in a bid to separate fact from fiction. In a 10-minute video distributed on numerous social media channels in an attempt to reach the Russian people, Schwarzenegger spelled out the violent events that have taken place since Russia's invasion of Ukraine commenced in late February. Propaganda and disinformation have proved weapons of their own for the Russian government thus far, something that Schwarzenegger hopes to counteract with his video address. "Let your fellow Russians know the human catastrophe that is happening in Ukraine," Schwarzenegger pleaded. "And to President Putin, I say – you started this war, you are leading this war, you can stop this war." Beginning by praising the Russian who became a hero to him at a young age – weightlifting champion Yuri Petrovich Vlasov – Schwarzenegger underlined his love and respect for the people of Russia. "The strength and the heart of the Russian people have always inspired me," he said. "That is why I hope that you will let me tell you the truth about the war in Ukraine and what is happening there. "No-one likes to hear something critical of their government, I understand that. But, as a longtime friend of the Russian people, I hope that you will hear what I have to say." Schwarzenegger noted that he applied the same level of concern to the American people following the attempted insurrection of the US Capitol in January of 2021. "I know that your government has told you that this is a war to de-Nazify Ukraine. De-Nazify Ukraine? This is not true. Ukraine is a country with a Jewish president, whose father and three brothers were all murdered by the Nazis. "You see, Ukraine did not start this war. Neither did nationalists or Nazis. Those in power in the Kremlin started this war. "This is not the Russian people's war," he added.

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

Schwarzenegger went on to speak about how Russia has become isolated from "the society of nations" thanks to the brutal actions of Vladimir Putin and his government. "You're not being told the truth about the consequences of this war on Russia itself," he said. "I regret to tell you that thousands of Russian soldiers have been killed. "They have been caught between Ukrainians fighting for their homeland and the Russian leadership fighting for conquest. "The Russian government has lied not only to its citizens, but to its soldiers. Some of the soldiers were told that they were going to fight Nazis. Some were told that the Ukrainian people would greet them like heroes. "And some were told that they were simply going on exercises. They didn't even know that they were going into war. "And some were told that they were going in to protect ethnic Russians in Ukraine. None of this is true." In closing, Schwarzenegger condemned the "illegal war" that is currently taking place. "To those in power in the Kremlin – let me just ask you; why would you sacrifice these young men for your own ambitions? "To the soldiers listening to this – remember that 11 million Russians have family connections to Ukraine. So every bullet you shoot; you shoot a brother or a sister. "Every bomb or every shell that falls is falling not on an enemy, but on a school or a hospital or a home." Schwarzenegger also took time to praise Russian citizens who have protested the war thus far. "You are my real heroes," he said. "You have the true heart of Russia."