A popular comedian has taken the lead in Sunday's Ukraine presidential elections, leaving the incumbent president in second place. Based on preliminary numbers, Ukraine will head to the polls again later this month for a run-off vote to decide who leads the country for the coming half decade. CGTN's Stephanie Freid in Kiev has the latest.

The actor and comedian Volodomyr Zelenskiy has no political experience. But preliminary results in Ukraine's first round of presidential voting place well-known actor and comedian Volodomyr Zelenskiy ahead of two seasoned politicians.

VOLODOMYR ZELENSKIY UKRAINE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "This is the start of a new life, normal life. Life without corruption, without bribes, without all this. Life in a new country, in a country we dream of."

The promise of a fresh, new approach is exactly what appeals to disillusioned voters.

STEPHANIE FREID KIEV "Zelenskiy's campaign headquarters are an example of who he is, a dramatic break from the norm. We've got the open bar behind me, lively music and there's a fussball table, air hockey and ping pong. He's a man for the people and apparently, that's what Ukraine's people want."

NATALIE GRYVNYAK UKRAINIAN CITIZEN "I voted for Zelenskiy because I thought possibly new people are going to come with him to the administration; possibly he's more down to earth and more open to the common people."

Ukraine is plagued by corruption, economic uncertainty and a years-long, ongoing conflict with Russia. Zelenskiy hasn't revealed any pending strategies for resolving those key issues if he is elected to the presidency. An estimated 63% of Ukrainians voted in this round - preliminary results show incumbent President Petro Poroshenko in second place and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in third. A runoff vote between the first and second place candidates is scheduled for April 21st. Stephanie Freid, CGTN, Kiev, Ukraine.