Hollywood star and humanitarian Angelina Jolie has paid a visit to Kherson, one of Ukraine’s most perilous frontline cities, as part of her ongoing advocacy for civilians affected by war. Her trip, supported by the Legacy of War Foundation, also included a visit to the nearby Mykolaiv region, where she met medical staff, volunteers, and families enduring relentless Russian attacks.
Standing with Civilians Amid Constant Danger
Photographs released from the visit show Jolie wearing a flak jacket while taking shelter in a basement and interacting with children in a windowless underground room. Many medical and educational facilities in Kherson have been relocated below ground to protect civilians from the near-daily bombardments.
In a statement released by the Legacy of War Foundation on Thursday, Jolie praised the resilience and unity of the Ukrainian people.
“At a time when governments around the world are turning their backs on the protection of civilians, their strength and their support for each other is humbling,” she said.
Jolie also emphasized that the residents of Mykolaiv and Kherson “live with danger every day, but they refuse to give in.”
Kherson’s Struggle and International Awareness
Once home to nearly 300,000 residents, Kherson remains one of Ukraine’s most threatened urban centers, lying within range of Russian artillery and drone strikes. The city was under Russian occupation from March to November 2022 before Ukrainian forces liberated it. However, Russian troops still occupy the opposite bank of the Dnipro River, continuing to shell the region from afar.
A recent UN inquiry reported that Russia has been using drones to target civilians near the front lines—actions that investigators say may constitute crimes against humanity. In the past week alone, Ukrainian forces reportedly intercepted 2,500 of 2,646 Russian drones aimed at the Kherson region.
Local officials welcomed Jolie’s visit, describing it as a powerful gesture of solidarity.
“Sometimes it seems that we have been forgotten, but we can see that this is not the case,” said Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, deputy head of Kherson’s regional administration, speaking to Ukraine’s state television.
This marks Jolie’s second visit to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began. She first traveled to Lviv in spring 2022 to meet refugees displaced by the war, reaffirming her ongoing commitment to humanitarian causes in conflict zones.
