‘Horrific, terrifying’: Hollywood voices support for Ukraine amid Russian invasion

As the Russian invasion of neighbouring Ukraine enters day four, Hollywood celebrities have been amping up their support for Kyiv and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on social media. 

1. Actor Ryan Reynolds tweeted to encourage people to donate to the UN Refugee Agency as he, along with wife Blake Lively match gifts dollar for dollar up to $1 million to help support displaced Ukrainian refugees.

“In 48 hours, countless Ukrainians were forced to flee their homes to neighbouring countries. They need protection,” he wrote.

Also Read: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky asks UN to ‘deprive’ Russia of its Security Council vote

2. Angelina Jolie posted a video on Instagram to appeal for support for the same organization as Reynolds, USA for UNHCR. She had also previously put out a statement praying for the displaced people in Ukraine.

“Like many of you, I’m praying for the people in Ukraine. My focus along with my @refugees colleagues is that everything possible is done to ensure the protection and basic human rights of those displaced, and refugees in the region. We have already seen reports of casualties and people starting to flee their homes to seek safety. It is too soon to know what will happen, but the significance of this moment – for the people of Ukraine, and for the international rule of law — cannot be overstated,” the 46-year-old wrote.

3. Actor Priyanka Chopra uploaded a video of a news report on the situation in Russia-invaded Ukraine, demonstrating how people have converted subway stations into subterranean shelters to be safe during the Russia-Ukraine war.  

Also Read: Russia will be put to trial for war crimes, promises Ukraine PM Denys Shmyhal

“The scenario happening in Ukraine is scary. Innocent individuals living in terror for their own and their loved ones’ lives, attempting to navigate the uncertainties of the near future. It’s difficult to understand how this could have escalated to such a disastrous level in the contemporary world, but this is a watershed event that will echo across the world,” the global icon wrote.

Priyanka continued, “I’m asking people to reach out for help.” “In this combat zone, there are innocent individuals. They are the same as you and me. More information on how to help the people of Ukraine may be found at the link in my bio.”

In 2016, Priyanka was named Global UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

4. Actor Hayden Panettiere, whose former partner Wladimir Wladimirowitsch Klitschko is a Ukrainian former professional boxer, also put out a post in solidarity on Instagram – calling out Russian President Vladimir Putin for his ‘disgraceful’ act. 

Also Read: Russia-Ukraine crisis: Elon Musk activates Starlink satellites in response to Ukraine plea

“I have personally witnessed the strength of the Ukrainian people who fought so hard for their independence and have continued to passionately defend their country over the years. What Putin is doing is an absolute disgrace! This horrific moment in history sends a terrifying message: the message that in this day and age, in year 2022, it’s okay to violate the rights of free people and allow autocrats like Putin to take whatever they please. I’m praying for my family and friends there and everyone who’s fighting. I wish you had more support and I wish I was there fighting with you! For now, I ask for those of us who can’t be there to stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and show your support for democracy. Continue to look for updates from @klitschko and @vitaliyklitschko.”

5. Singer Miley Cyrus spoke of the ‘incredible’ time she spent in Kyiv during the shoot of her music video, and said that the current situation was ‘heartbreaking’.

“This morning was heartbreaking waking up to the news that Ukraine had been invaded. I had the most incredible experience filming ‘Nothing Breaks Like A Heart’ in Kyiv and will be forever grateful to the local community who welcomed me with open arms. There are local reports that at least 40 Ukrainians have been killed already, and this conflict can lead to many more deaths, another refugee crisis with so many forced to flee their homes and more. I am standing in solidarity with everyone in Ukraine who is affected by this attack and with our global community who is calling for an immediate end to this violence,” the singer-actor wrote.

6. Rapper Cardi B tweeted, “Wish these world leaders [would] stop tripping about power and really think about who’s really getting affected (citizens) besides the whole world is in a crisis. War, sanctions, invasions should be the last thing these leaders should worry about.”

7. US actor and director Sean Penn is in Kyiv making a documentary about Russia’s invasion, the Ukrainian president’s office said Thursday.

“The director came to Kyiv specifically to record all the events taking place in Ukraine and as a documentary filmmaker to tell the world the truth about Russia’s invasion of our country,” said a post in Ukrainian on the presidential office’s Facebook page.

“Today, Sean Penn is among those who support Ukraine while being in Ukraine. Our country is grateful to him for such a display of courage and honesty.”

The post added that “Penn demonstrates the kind of courage that many others, including Western politicians, lack.”

Russia launched a massive invasion of Ukraine by land, air and sea on Thursday, after months of military build-up at the border and heightening suspicion of war by the West. Moscow’s aggression is considerably the biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War II.

Russian forces on Friday closed in on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv in an apparent encircling movement after a barrage of airstrikes on cities and military bases around the country. More than 130 Ukrainian soldiers were killed on the first day of fighting.