Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has the world’s attention, including celebrities from Angelina Jolie to Mark Ruffalo who are weighing in on the ongoing crisis.
Russia’s attack on Ukraine began in the pre-dawn hours of Moscow on Feb. 24 and international backlash followed swiftly in the form of sanctions by the United States and a host of other countries.
Putin has continued to push forward, slowly encroaching into the one-time Soviet Republic that has expressed a desire to someday join NATO.
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service has said more than 2,000 civilians have died, though it was impossible to verify the claim. The U.N. human rights office said it had recorded 227 deaths, including 15 under the age of 18, and 525 injured, since the start of the invasion.
Live Updates:Casualties climb on both sides; port city of Kherson seized by Russian troops, governor says
Some stars have taken the opportunity to use their platforms to voice their support of Ukraine and condemn Russia.
More:Prince Harry, Meghan voice support for Ukraine at NAACP Image Awards
Here is what they are saying:
Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher team up for multimillion fundraiser
Mila Kunis is giving back to her homeland of Ukraine with the help of husband Ashton Kutcher. The couple started a fundraiser on GoFundMe, aiming to raise $30 million in humanitarian relief for the people of Ukraine.
“Today, I am a proud Ukrainian. While my family came to the United States in 1991, I was born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine in 1983,” Kunis said in a statement. “Ukrainians are proud and brave people who deserve our help in their time of need. This unjust attack on Ukraine and humanity at large is devastating and the Ukrainian people need our support.”
Kunis and Kutcher are matching up to $3 million for the fundraiser, which will benefit freight forwarder Flexport and vacation rental company Airbnb. The two organizations will facilitate aid efforts by “transporting humanitarian aid to known NGO’s on the ground” and “providing free, short-term housing to up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine,” according to the couple.
“The people of Ukraine are strong and brave, but being strong and brave doesn’t mean you’re not worthy of support,” Kunis said in a video announcing the fundraiser.