Milla Jovovich has spoken out on Putin's invasion of her native Ukraine, saying she is “heartbroken and dumbstruck”.
The Kyiv-born actress and supermodel, known for her roles in films such as The Fifth Element and Resident Evil, said was “torn in two” by the escalating conflict and struggled to process the events as Russian forces closed in on her birth city.
Her statement, shared to her Instagram page, comes in response to the invasion of Ukraine ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin and beginning in the early hours of Thursday 24 February, forcing people to flee major cities and even escape the country altogether.
Milla said: “I am heartbroken and dumbstruck trying to process the events of this week in my birthplace of Ukraine.
“My country and people being bombed. Friends and family in hiding. My blood and my roots come from both Russia and Ukraine.
“I am torn in two as I watch the horror unfolding, the country being destroyed, families being displaced, their whole life lying in charred fragments around them.”
Adding to the powerful comments, she shared her family's stories of “trauma and terror” that they endured during wartimes in former Yugoslavia.
Milla joins a roster of celebrities who have spoken out against the invasion, with household names including Madonna, Kylie Jenner and Pink publicly making their stance clear.
Material Girl singer Madonna took to Instagram in an emotive post slamming the Russian president and urging people to donate what they could to help the people of Ukraine.
She wrote: “Russia’s Pointless and Greed Driven Invasion Of the Ukraine MUST be stopped!!
“Please Send in Humanitarian Aid to help millions of citizens of the Ukraine who’s lives are being affected by this CRISIS at this very moment.
“Putin has Violated Every Human Rights Accord in Existence. Putin has no right to try to erase the existence of the Ukraine.
“We support you President Zelensky!! We are praying for you and your country.”
Meanwhile, So What singer Pink shared a link to international aid charity Unicef, writing: “Right now, UNICEF is working across eastern #Ukraine to scale up lifesaving programs for children," while Kylie Jenner shared a heartfelt message to her Instagram story which read: “God protect the people of Ukraine. My thoughts and prayers are with you.”
Earlier this week, This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby admitted she was struggling to explain the events in Ukraine to her children.
The daytime TV star shared an image of a military tank to Instagram on Friday (25 February), and confessed she was finding it difficult to answer her children's questions about the invasion.
"How do I explain this to my children… I was asked questions last night I didn’t have the answers for", the Dancing On Ice star admitted to her followers.
After just one day of war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed at least 137 people had been killed and 316 injured; by Friday evening Ukraine was reporting that over 1,000 of their soldiers had been killed in the conflict.
