Hollywood actor and humanitarian Angelina Jolie has once again stepped into a conflict zone, this time, the war-scarred city of Kherson in southern Ukraine.
Photographs that surfaced on social media on Wednesday showed the Oscar winner wearing a bulletproof vest marked with Ukrainian insignia as she reportedly visited children’s hospitals and maternity wards in a region still facing daily Russian bombardment.
Ukrainian media reported that Jolie’s unannounced visit came just days after a series of drone strikes in Kherson, which lies across the Dnieper River from Russian military positions.
Images circulating online showed the actor in full protective gear, including a helmet, speaking to hospital staff and posing with a Ukrainian soldier whose face was blurred for security reasons.
Though neither Jolie nor Ukrainian authorities have officially confirmed the trip, it has drawn significant attention both locally and internationally. According to local reports, Jolie was accompanied by a team of bodyguards during her visit – one of whom was reportedly drafted into the Ukrainian Army mid-trip. She allegedly visited a conscription office to secure his release before continuing her humanitarian outreach.
Kherson, a city that endured Russian occupation in 2022, remains under constant threat, with hospitals and civilian infrastructure repeatedly targeted in ongoing attacks.
This marks Jolie’s second visit to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began. Her first trip, in 2022, took her to Lviv in western Ukraine, where she met displaced families and volunteers working on relief efforts.
Jolie has long been active in humanitarian work, having served as a UN special envoy for refugees from 2012 to 2022. Her continued engagement reflects her commitment to spotlighting global crises beyond Hollywood.
On the film front, Jolie recently starred in 'Couture', which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last month. She also earned critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination for her performance in 'Maria' (2024), based on the life of legendary opera singer Maria Callas. Her next project, 'Anxious People', is currently in production.
Courtesy:India Today
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
