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Jessica Chastain Shares 'Devastating' Details On Her 'Scary' Trip To Ukraine

Home / News / Jessica Chastain Shares 'Devastating' Details On Her 'Scary' Trip To Ukraine

By Favour Adegoke on October 14, 2022 at 1:30 AM EDT

Actress Jessica Chastain isn't over her horrifying visit to Ukraine in August and recently spoke about her experience. During her visit, Chastain met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and spoke to him about the country's situation at the time. She also visited some kids in the hospital and several Ukrainian families.

Chastain is one of several other celebrities like Ben Stiller, Mila Kunis, and Angelina Jolie that have visited the country since the war started in February. While it was a productive trip for her, the actress also said she wouldn't forget the experience anytime soon as it traumatized and brought her to tears.

Read on to find out more.

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Jessica Chastain Narrated Her Experience

Jessica Chastain New York Premiere Of Fox Searchlight Pictures' 'The Eyes Of Tammy Faye'
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The "Molly's Game" actress opened up about her experience during an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Wednesday . When Kimmel asked about the visit, she revealed that the aftermath of the war left her speechless. Russia's attack on the country had damaged thousands of homes and buildings and displaced millions.

During Chastain's trip, she visited and had lunch with some families affected by the war. The "IT: Chapter Two" star recalled seeing more bullet holes in the homes than she'd ever seen in real life. "At one point, I said, 'Is that a bullet hole in the mirror?'" she recalled. "I looked at the ceiling, there were bullet holes. The chair I was sitting in had bullet holes."

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Chastain also said it broke her heart to see "little kids, a 6-year-old, a 4-year-old" that were victims of the war. "I don't understand what is happening to the world," she said. The actress also recalled meeting a little girl with her mother who "needed new legs" because of the war. "That was really devastating," she said. "I just felt my heart was going out to them."

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'It Was Kind Of Like Being In A Video Game'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82jn_ok39eU

Chastain did not have battle scars of her own, but she recalled feeling very afraid. "It was kind of like being in a video game," she explained. She also wondered whether it was right for her to be there at such a time. "There were a few times on that day where I thought, should I be doing this? This feels very scary."

In response, Kimmel empathized with her and noted how brave she was to serve as the voice of the oppressed. He said, "We don't really get to see much of what's happening there on the news because it's so dangerous for journalists to be there." While the actress "understood how sad it would be," she said she knew she "had to go" there.

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Chastain also noted how sad President Zelenskyy was. According to her, he was worried that the rest of the world would forget about the war in a few months. He was also scared that things could get worse for them in the winter.

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The Situation In Ukraine Could Get Worse

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky asks President Biden for more
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The 45-year-old recalled the President asking for help from "the West." "'Are they still talking about us in the press in the United States? The more that the people talk about it, we really need help," she recounted him saying.

Zelenskyy also revealed his fear that Russia would cut off Ukraine's electricity supply during the fall or winter. This action would be more dangerous during the winter as the cold would be fatal. Chastain then urged the public to "talk to people" and spread awareness about the war.

She said, "I think that's what he's been trying to do, to make sure the world doesn't forget about them." She also volunteered her platform to "help amplify other stories" and promote "freedom and equality." "I just feel it's my responsibility."

The President Was Grateful Of Jessica Chastain's Visit To The Country

Jessica Chastain Los Angeles Premiere Of 20th Century Fox's 'Dark Phoenix'
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44-year-old Zelenskyy was grateful to Chastain for her visit and shared a message on Instagram to thank her. He also thanked celebrities like Ben Stiller, Mila Kunis, and Angelina Jolie, who took the time to visit and support the country.

Along with photos from their meeting, he wrote, "American actress Jessica Chastain is in Ukraine today. For us, such visits of famous people are extremely valuable. Thanks to this, the world will hear, know and understand the truth about what is happening in our country even more. Thanks for the support!"

The head of the office of the President, Andriy Yermak, also thanked her for visiting. He took to Twitter to post a picture of Chastain, Zelenskyy, and some others mid-discussion.

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Yernak captioned the post, "Today, [President Zelensky] met with [Jessica Chastain], who is visiting [Ukraine]. Keeping [Ukraine] among top priorities on the global agenda is what celebrities can do today. They bring people of the world the truth about what is happening in [Ukraine]."

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