Angelina Jolie Visits Ukraine’s Frontline City Kherson, Reportedly Intervenes After Bodyguard Is Detained by Military

Hollywood actor and humanitarian Angelina Jolie has reportedly paid a surprise visit to Kherson, the southern Ukrainian city that remains under constant Russian shelling, according to multiple Ukrainian media outlets on Wednesday. This marks Jolie’s second visit to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, and comes just days after a wave of drone attacks on the region.

Images circulating on social media show the Oscar-winning actor wearing a bulletproof vest with Ukrainian insignia, visiting children’s hospitals and maternity wards. In one photo, Jolie is seen outdoors in full protective gear, including a military helmet; another shows her posing with a Ukrainian soldier whose face has been blurred for security reasons.

Local reports also claim Jolie was accompanied by a small security team, and that one of her bodyguards was unexpectedly drafted into the Ukrainian army during the trip—forcing the actor to reportedly visit a conscription office to secure his release. The information has not been independently verified.

Kherson, briefly occupied by Russian forces in 2022, remains a key frontline city and faces daily bombardment from across the Dnieper River.

Neither Jolie nor Ukrainian officials have formally confirmed the visit.

Previous visit to Ukraine

Jolie, who served as a UN special envoy for refugees for a decade, first travelled to Ukraine in April 2022, where she met displaced families in the western city of Lviv. She has been vocal about humanitarian crises globally, particularly those affecting refugees and children.

Jolie’s recent work

The actor was last seen in the TIFF-premiered film Couture, and earned an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of opera legend Maria Callas in the 2024 biopic Maria. She is currently filming Anxious People.