WASHINGTON

Hollywood icon Arnold Schwarzenegger launched a direct appeal to the Russian people Thursday, telling them their government has inundated them with lies about its war in Ukraine.

"Ukraine did not start this war. Neither did nationalists or Nazis," Schwarzenegger said in a pre-recorded video message. "Those in power in the Kremlin started this war. This is not the Russian people's war. No."

The Russian government has sought to portray its war as an effort to militarily "denazify" Ukraine, despite the fact that the country's president is Jewish.

Schwarzenegger pointed to a UN General Assembly resolution adopted March 2 that squarely put the blame for the bloodshed with Moscow and called on Russia to immediately end its assault in Ukraine. More than 140 nations voted in favor of the resolution with four joining Russia in opposition.

"Because of its brutality, Russia is now isolated from the society of nations," said Schwarzenegger.

Russia began its war against Ukraine on Feb. 24. It has drawn international condemnation, led to sweeping financial sanctions and export controls on Moscow, and spurred an exodus of global firms from Russia.

At least 780 civilians have been killed and 1,252 injured in Ukraine since the beginning of the war, according to the UN, which emphasizes that the true number is likely much higher.

More than 3.2 million people have also fled to neighboring countries, according to UN figures.

Schwarzenegger appealed directly to Russian troops telling them "this is not the war to defend Russia that your grandfathers or your great grandfathers fought."

"This is an illegal war. Your lives, your limbs, your futures, have been sacrificed for a senseless war condemned by the entire world," he said.

.@Schwarzenegger has a message for the Russian people. pic.twitter.com/AIOxoCQyrX

— attn (@attn) March 17, 2022