Angelina Jolie observes children playing in Kherson, Ukraine, on Thursday.
Hollywood star Angelina Jolie has visited Ukraine’s perilous frontline city, Kherson, and its neighboring areas, engaging with medical staff, volunteers, and civilians enduring relentless Russian attacks.
“As global governments neglect civilian protection, the resilience and mutual support of these people is truly inspiring,” Jolie stated in a release on Thursday from the Legacy of War Foundation, which facilitated her trip to Kherson and Mykolaiv.
“Despite daily dangers, the people of Mykolaiv and Kherson stand strong,” Jolie remarked.
Images depicted Jolie in protective gear within a basement, interacting with children in a room without windows. The foundation noted that she visited medical and educational centers relocated underground to avoid constant Russian assaults.
Kherson, once populated by nearly 300,000 residents, stands as the largest urban area within the reach of Russian artillery, rendering it one of Ukraine’s most hazardous cities. Russian troops occupied it from March 2022 until retreating eight months later across the Dnipro River, where they remain positioned on the opposite side.
A recent UN investigation discovered that Russia pursues civilians near the front line with drones, causing thousands to flee, which constitutes a crime against humanity. Russia refutes claims of deliberately targeting civilians.
Local authorities reported that Ukraine’s military intercepted approximately 2,500 of the 2,646 Russian drones aimed at the Kherson region last week alone.
“We deeply appreciate (Jolie’s visit) and the attention it brings to our region,” Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, deputy head of Kherson’s regional administration, said to Ukraine’s primary state television. “At times, it feels like we’ve been forgotten, but her visit proves otherwise.”
Jolie had previously visited Ukraine’s western city of Lviv in the spring of 2022 to meet those displaced by the conflict.
