Angelina Jolie visits Ukraine’s frontline city Kherson

In a powerful demonstration of solidarity, Hollywood icon Angelina Jolie recently made an impactful visit to Kherson, one of Ukraine's most perilous frontline cities, and the neighboring Mykolaiv region. Her presence brought much-needed attention to the ongoing struggles faced by civilians caught in the heart of the conflict.

During her time in these war-affected areas, Jolie dedicated herself to meeting with local medical personnel, dedicated volunteers, and ordinary citizens who endure relentless attacks from Russian troops. Her statement, released by the Legacy of War Foundation, which facilitated the trip, underscored the profound resilience she witnessed: "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 further praised the unwavering spirit of the residents, noting, "The people of Mykolaiv and Kherson live with danger every day, but they refuse to give in." Photos from her visit depicted Jolie wearing a flak jacket in a basement, a stark visual testament to the conditions, and engaging with children in a windowless room, underscoring the grim realities of daily life.

Her itinerary included tours of medical and educational facilities that have been strategically relocated underground, a necessary measure to shield them from the constant barrage of Russian assaults. These efforts highlight the extraordinary lengths communities go to in order to maintain essential services amid adversity.

Kherson, once a bustling city home to nearly 300,000 people, now stands as one of Ukraine's most dangerous urban centers due to its proximity to Russia's frontline weapons. The city endured an eight-month occupation by Russian forces starting in March 2022 before its liberation; however, Russian troops maintain positions on the opposite bank of the Dnipro River, keeping it under constant threat.

The severity of the situation was recently reinforced by a UN inquiry last month, which concluded that Russia has been deliberately targeting civilians near the front line with drones, coercing thousands into displacement – actions deemed a crime against humanity. Despite Russian denials of intentionally targeting civilians, local officials reported that Ukraine’s military successfully intercepted approximately 2,500 out of 2,646 Russian drones launched at the Kherson region in just the past week alone.

Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, deputy head of Kherson’s regional administration, expressed heartfelt gratitude for Jolie's visit, telling Ukraine’s main state-controlled TV, "Sometimes it seems that we have been forgotten, but we can see that this is not the case." Such high-profile visits serve as a crucial morale boost, reminding those on the ground that their plight has not gone unnoticed.

This visit marks Angelina Jolie's continued commitment to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, following her previous trip to the western city of Lviv in the spring of 2022, where she met with individuals displaced by the conflict.