During her speech in Cannes, Angelina Jolie mentioned a Ukrainian writer

Angelina Jolie drew attention to the stories of women who lost their lives during wars and conflicts. Among others, she mentioned Victoria Amelina.

American actress Angelina Jolie spoke at the Trophée Chopard award ceremony at the Cannes Film Festival. During her speech, she mentioned Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina, who was killed in a Russian strike in 2023.

According to Glavcom, this was reported by Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.

Air raid alert across the whole country

As if each time they’re leading everyone

To be shot

But aiming at just one

Usually the one on the edge

Today it’s not you — all clear

Victoria Amelina, April 5, 2022

Jolie served as the godmother of the award ceremony—a role usually performed by well-known actors, celebrities, or influential people at events related to the jewelry brand Chopard, which presents the award.

In her speech, the actress said she loves international cinema, which can transport viewers “even to the battlefield,” and drew attention to the stories of women who lost their lives during wars and conflicts abroad.

“And none of us are naive. We know that many artists around the world are deprived of freedom and safety to tell their stories, and many have died — like Fatima Hassouna, killed in Gaza; Shaden Gardood, who died in Sudan; Victoria Amelina, killed in Ukraine; and many other outstanding artists who should be with us now. We owe great gratitude to all those who risk their lives by sharing their stories and experiences, because they help us learn and grow,” Jolie said.

How Victoria Amelina died

• On June 27, 2023, Russian fascist forces launched two missile strikes on Kramatorsk. The epicenter of the explosion included a food establishment, apartment buildings, commercial premises, cars, a post office, and other structures, where windows, panes, and doors were shattered. The impact caused a fire.

• As a result of the attack, 13 people were killed, including Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina. Among the dead were four children. It is also known that 64 people were injured.

• The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) counterintelligence promptly detained an agent of the Russian special services, a resident of Kramatorsk, who coordinated the Russian missile strike on the café in the city center on June 27, 2023.

• He was charged with treason and this year was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Earlier, American actress Angelina Jolie called and sent a note of support to 14-year-old Polina from the Kharkiv region. In February 2025, Polina was injured as a result of a Russian missile strike. Due to her injuries, the girl is temporarily unable to walk.

On April 30, 2022, the Hollywood actress visited the Lviv region. At one of the medical facilities, she visited children who were injured in the Russian missile strike on the train station in Kramatorsk.

On April 30, Hollywood star Angelina Jolie arrived in Ukraine on a humanitarian mission and visited the Lviv railway station, where she met passengers of an evacuation train from Pokrovsk.

Angelina Jolie has supported Ukraine from the very first days of the war and helps organize aid for Ukrainians forced to leave their homes. As a UN goodwill ambassador, the actress recently visited the Pediatrico Bambino Gesù hospital in Rome, where Ukrainian refugee children are currently staying.

Anna Voloshyna