Hollywood star and humanitarian Angelina Jolie made an unannounced visit to Kherson, a southern Ukrainian frontline city facing daily Russian bombardment, Ukrainian media reported Wednesday. This marks her second trip to the war-torn country since Russia's invasion began.
Photographs circulated on social media showed Jolie wearing a bulletproof vest with Ukrainian insignia while visiting children's hospitals and maternity wards in the city. One image captured her wearing armor and a helmet outdoors, while another showed her posing with a Ukrainian soldier whose face was blurred for security reasons.
Kherson, briefly occupied by Russian forces in 2022, continues to face regular Russian drone strikes and artillery attacks from across the Dnieper River. Jolie's visit came shortly after recent bombardments of the city.
Ukrainian media reports claimed that one of Jolie's local bodyguards was drafted by the Ukrainian military during the visit. According to these accounts, the actress had to go to a conscription office to secure his release. Neither Jolie nor the Ukrainian government has officially confirmed the visit.
The Oscar-winning actress served as a UN special envoy for refugees from 2012 to 2022, bringing considerable attention to humanitarian crises worldwide. She previously visited Ukraine a few months after the Russian invasion began, meeting displaced persons in the western city of Lviv, which was far from active combat zones.
Jolie's recent film work includes "Couture," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last month, where she portrayed an American filmmaker. Her 2024 film "Maria," in which she played legendary opera singer Maria Callas, earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. She is currently filming "Anxious People."
The actress's willingness to visit active conflict zones demonstrates her continued commitment to drawing international attention to humanitarian situations, particularly those affecting children and families displaced by war.
