Angelina Jolie’s unexpected visit to Ukraine was nearly derailed by military enlistment officers who questioned why her driver was not serving in the army. The Hollywood actress arrived in the southern cities of Mykolaiv and Kherson on a humanitarian mission, meeting with volunteers and doctors forced to live underground to escape Russian shelling.
The unannounced trip almost ended in an incident when one of Jolie’s companions—reportedly the driver—was stopped at a checkpoint several hours from Mykolaiv. The man, identified as 33-year-old Dmytro, was detained and taken to a regional enlistment center.
According to reports, the episode angered Ukrainian officials who had not been informed of Jolie’s arrival. Authorities are investigating why her convoy was stopped and how the mission came close to being disrupted.
Politico confirms that Jolie did not notify the Ukrainian government of her visit and crossed the border on foot. It is possible that her desire to avoid spectacle and official escort explains such secrecy. Otherwise, the visit would likely have turned into a staged event featuring government officials and figures close to the administration—from the customary railway platform photos to obligatory meetings at the president’s office accompanied by social-media posts and charity announcements tailored to the moment.
The Legacy of War Foundation, which supported Jolie’s frontline visit, reported that the actress met with volunteers and local residents while visiting medical and educational facilities.
“As governments around the world turn away from protecting civilians, the strength and mutual support of these communities command deep respect,” Jolie said in a statement released by the foundation. “The people of Mykolaiv and Kherson live in constant danger but have not given up.”
Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, deputy head of the Kherson Regional Administration, told a state TV channel: “We are deeply grateful for Jolie’s visit and for those who come to see us. Sometimes it feels like we’ve been forgotten, but now we see that’s not the case.”
Since Kherson’s liberation in November 2022, neither President Volodymyr Zelensky nor any other senior central government official has visited the city. For many residents, this has become a symbol of how the south remains on the periphery of Kyiv’s attention.
Kherson has remained extremely dangerous for civilians since its liberation from Russian occupation in November 2022. Last month, a UN commission accused Russian forces of targeting civilians with drones launched from positions on the opposite bank of the Dnipro River—actions classified as war crimes. Last week, Ukrainian authorities reported that the army had shot down more than 2,500 Russian drones launched to strike across the wider Kherson region.