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.
As of Monday, the UN's Human Rights Council reported that at least 406 civilians have been killed or wounded.
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:
Ukrainian former 'DWTS' pro flees to Poland, feels 'guilt'
Ukrainian former "Dancing With the Stars" professional dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy shared posts to his Instagram story letting his followers know that he safely fled to Poland after having no initial plans of evacuation.
Chmerkovskiy wrote on his Instagram story Monday that he made it on a train to Warsaw, Poland, saying the train stations are "insane."
"At first it feels manageable but it gets A LOT worse when it comes time to actually board the train," he wrote. "All I can say now is that I'm a big man with nothing but a backpack, it's traumatizing."
Chmerkovskiy said he was packed into a "sweaty" and "claustrophobic" train cabin meant for three occupants with 11 other people. "People are everywhere," he wrote.
Days earlier he posted his hesitation of fleeing to the Polish border.
"I heard it's not safe and unfortunately, some of my friends are right now on the road to Polish borders, but they're also reporting that it's quite dangerous," Chmerkovskiy said.
On Tuesday, Chmerkovskiy posted a 26-minute long Instagram video from Warsaw in which he discussed his exit from Ukraine amid the invasion, saying that he's "going to need a lot of therapy" after what he endured.
Chmerkovskiy described his harrowing train ride out of Ukraine and into Poland as "like out of a movie" and said he felt "guilt" for escaping. He said he went 36 hours without sleep during the trek and remained standing for most of it so as not to take up an additional seat.
The choreographer also encouraged Russian citizens to protest Putin.
"I'm having a horrible time. I'm having very mixed emotions. I have my friends there, my friends in (the) frontline," he said. "I can't hear from some of the people. I can't get in touch with them. I don't know if they're dead."
Elton John stands for an end to the violence
Elton John shared a message on Sunday in support of "the people of Ukraine who do not deserve to live through this nightmare."
"For over 20 years, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has supported some of the most vulnerable people in Ukraine with access to HIV services and care, as part of our commitment to communities across Eastern Europe and Central Asia," the post said. "During these devastating times, we stand for an end to the violence and suffering in Ukraine so that life-saving services and humanitarian aid can reach those desperately in need."
Updates:Ukraine demands cease-fire in talks with Russia; US announces new sanctions
Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds match refugee donations
Celebrity couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds announced Saturday they are matching donations up to $1 million made to USA for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, a U.N. agency that works to aid and protect refugees.
"@usaforunhcr is on the ground helping the 50,000+ Ukrainians who had to flee their homes in less than 48 hours," Lively explained in a social media post. "@usaforunhcr is providing life saving aid, and also working with neighboring countries to ensure protection for these families."
Bethenny Frankel's charity raises $3M
Entrepreneur and reality star Bethenny Frankel's charity, BStrong, has raised $3 million to relocate and support Ukranian refugees as of Sunday, according to the charity's website.
BStrong has partnered with local travel agencies to assist with refugees' travel logistics, and with Goya Europe, which has donated 100,000 pounds of food. The charity has set up several tents to aid those in need and is working on securing a warehouse, Frankel said in a Sunday video update.
The organization now aims to raise $5 million, and is seeking "AirBnB-type solutions" for refugees who wish to stay in Poland.
"Keep donating," Frankel pleaded to viewers. "It's a massive undertaking. This is a world-wide humanitarian crisis. It's really extraordinary. … The money that you are donating is going to the relocation and survival of refugees."
Angelina Jolie is focusing on those displaced, refugees
Actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie took to Instagram and said she's "praying for the people in Ukraine."
"My focus along with my @refugees colleagues is that everything possible is done to ensure the protection and basic human rights of those displaced, and refugees in the region. We have already seen reports of casualties and people starting to flee their homes to seek safety," Jolie continued her statement. "It is too soon to know what will happen, but the significance of this moment – for the people of Ukraine, and for the international rule of law – cannot be overstated."
Prince William, Duchess Kate stand with Ukraine
Prince William and Duchess Catherine of Cambridge recalled meeting Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska, in October of 2020, when they said they had "the privilege" to "learn of their hope and optimism for Ukraine’s future."
The royal couple added in the tweet, signed with their initials: "Today we stand with the President and all of Ukraine’s people as they bravely fight for that future."
Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan support Ukraine at NAACP Image Awards
As Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, were honored with the President’s Award at the NAACP Image Awards Saturday, Harry showed gratitude to the NAACP for welcoming him into their community before he spoke about those in Ukraine impacted by the ongoing Russian invasion.
"We would like to acknowledge the people of Ukraine who urgently need our continued support as a global community," Harry said while standing next to his wife. The couple was recognized for their outreach efforts in the U.S. and around the world.
NAACP Image Awards:Prince Harry, Meghan support Ukraine, Jennifer Hudson takes top award
Prince Charles calls Ukraine invasion 'unconscionable'
During a speech in the English coastal city of Southend-on-Sea on March 1, Prince Charles denounced the violence taking place in Ukraine and likened it to the murder of Parliament member Sir David Amess, who was stabbed to death last year, according to the BBC.
"What we saw in the terrible tragedy in Southend was an attack on democracy, on an open society, on freedom itself," Charles said. "We are seeing those same values under attack today in Ukraine in the most unconscionable way. In the stand we take here, we are in solidarity with all those who are resisting brutal aggression."
Meghan McCain is 'disgusted'
Meghan McCain shared a "Free Ukraine" photo on her Instagram and expressed her disdain for those in support of Russia's invasion.
"I am nothing short of disgusted with the abject Putin propaganda coming out of so many people within the GOP and conservative media," McCain wrote. "Who the hell are you people, and what has happened to the values our party was designed under? We are the party of freedom and democracy, the party of America first, America leads the world, the party of justice, the party of Ronald Reagan..."
The former "View" co-host said the citizens of Ukraine are entitled to living in a free democracy.
"If Ukraine falls, the signals sent globally will be cataclysmic – expect China to invade Taiwan next. A threat to democracy anywhere, is a threat to democracy everywhere. That is not war mongering, it’s the stark reality of our geopolitics," McCain wrote. "Some of you should really be taking a hard look about what exactly you stand for and why you’re so hypnotized by Vladimir Putin. I won’t forget, history won’t forget where you were in this moment."
Miley Cyrus is 'standing in solidarity'
Miley Cyrus shared a statement to her Twitter noting she was "heartbroken" by the events taking place in Ukraine. She reflected on her time in Kyiv filming "Nothing Breaks Like a Heart" and recounted how kind Ukrainians were to her.
"There are local reports that at least 40 Ukrainians have been killed already, and this conflict can lead to many more deaths, another refugee crisis with so many forced to flee their homes and more," Cyrus wrote. "I am standing in solidarity with everyone in Ukraine who is affected by this attack and with our global community who is calling for an immediate end to this violence."
Mark Ruffalo sends love and prayers
Mark Ruffalo took to Twitter to send "love and good prayers to all innocent people of Ukraine and Russia and Europe who are caught up in this sad and corrosive moment of asymmetrical violence and destruction, especially the young people."
"You have done nothing to deserve this perversion and obscene spectacle."
Contributing: Elise Brisco, Amy Haneline, Charles Trepany, Luciana Lopez, Maureen Groppe and Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, Jonathan Landrum Jr., Associated Press
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