Over the weekend, actor and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom made a surprise visit to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and discuss the plight of displaced children in the war-torn country. The British movie star toured war-ravaged areas, including Irpin, Demydiv, and Kyiv, before meeting with the president at the Presidential Palace.
In a video capturing the moment, Bloom greeted Zelensky warmly and exchanged pleasantries before engaging in serious discussions about the impact of the war on Ukrainian children. According to Ukrainian officials, 465 children have been killed in the conflict, and around 14,000 have been abducted and taken to Russia, with only 125 returned to Ukraine thus far.
"To see the children, to see in their eyes - it's palpable - the anxiety... and yet the strength of the Ukrainian people is something that is really awe-inspiring," Bloom said. He credited Zelensky's leadership for the country's resilience, saying, "It's remarkable to see how you are holding this country."
Bloom and Zelensky discussed humanitarian aid projects, the need for foster families rather than group homes for displaced children, and the reconstruction of Ukraine with a focus on children's interests. The actor also visited a UNICEF-supported Spilno center, which provides a safe, nurturing space for children to play, learn, and receive psychosocial support. More than half a million children and their caregivers have visited a Spilno center in the past year.
Zelensky took to Instagram to express his concern for the war's impact on Ukrainian children, stating that thousands of schools have been damaged or destroyed, leaving nearly 2.7 million students to study online or through mixed formats. He also mentioned the risk of depression, anxiety, and other psychological problems faced by about 1.5 million children.
During their meeting, Bloom called Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal and referred to the ongoing conflict as "horrific." He also shared a personal message from his mother with Zelensky: "Your defeat would be the defeat of hope, hence you must win."
In response to his mother's message, Bloom encouraged Zelensky by saying, "Go win," and added, "Slava Ukraine" - meaning "Glory to Ukraine."
