Soft power: Czech designer makes 'Zelensky pillows' to help Ukraine

Prague: A Czech designer has come up with a novel way to raise money for Ukrainians suffering from the war in their country - making pillows bearing the portrait of their president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zelensky, tired, unshaven but defiant in his trademark green T-shirt, has become the face of Ukraine's resistance to Russia's attack, rallying his compatriots from his bunker in Kyiv in daily broadcasts on social media.

A woman works on pillow covers with a portrait depicting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Brinek, who runs a satirical Instagram channel called TMBK which has more than 540,000 followers and usually pokes fun at politicians, said his limited edition of hand-made pillows has attracted more than 2,000 orders and raised some 420,000 crowns ($18,900) for a charity helping Ukrainians affected by the crisis.

"The idea was really a bit of a joke but there is this serious side that the profits can do some good for Ukraine," Brinek said, adding that he now planned to make another batch because of strong interest.

A woman irons a pillow cover with a portrait depicting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Czech Republic has sent tens of millions of dollars worth of aid to Ukraine and has so far taken in some 270,000 refugees, mostly women and children.

Pillow covers with a portrait depicting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.