The world has never been the same since the first Russian soldier crossed the border into Ukraine shortly after 4 a.m. local time last Thursday. The whole world fears for the future, which has never seemed more uncertain than now (and it has already been marked by uncertainty due to the Corona crisis), and looks to Ukraine and its citizens with concern and empathy, especially if you are from the is from Ukraine or has family there. Hollywood star Hayden Panettiere (32) knows this feeling only too well these days, because she fears for the life of her daughter’s father, who is in no way inferior to her in fame: Wladimir Klitschko (45).
The former boxing champion and gigantic Ukrainian and the delicate blonde acting beauty were – with interruptions – a couple for six and a half years. They met each other in 2010 and were together for the first time until 2011 before breaking up. In 2013 they found each other again, in 2014 – the same year when Vladimir’s equally famous, formerly equally successful as a boxing champion, brother Vitali was elected mayor of Kiev – their daughter Kaya was born. They got engaged but never got married — in 2018, the two announced their split.
Though their love hasn’t lasted, the couple – who are separated by both a significant height and age gap – remain very close. The two only speak highly of each other, Panettiere also congratulates “this wonderful man” on Instagram on his birthday and it is said that their daughter Kaya (7) should live with Papa Wladimir and Uncle Vitali (50) in Ukraine.
But now it’s not a safe place for the young girl, nor for her famous father and the entire Klitschko family, who are said to have been declared “Public Enemy No. 1” by Putin for their defiance – much like President Volodymyr Zelenskyj (45) and his family. Hayden Panettiere worries about her family – not just her daughter, but also her cousins, grandma and grandpa, her former partner, his brother and all the people she met and fell in love with in Ukraine, like a touching one The actress’ Instagram post reveals:
She then stressed: “What Putin is doing is an absolute disgrace,” adding: “This terrible moment in history sends a terrifying message: the message that in this day and age, in 2022, it’s okay violating the rights of free people and allowing autocrats like Putin to take what they want.”
The post features a beaming Panettiere and a lovingly smiling Wladimir Klitschko in a crowd of people. The actress is about to put her arms around a woman with her most beautiful smile while the people around her happily watch the scene. This moment obviously happened in Ukraine. Alongside the powerful image, Panettiere wrote: “I have personally witnessed the strength of the Ukrainian people who have fought so hard for their independence and have passionately defended their country over the years.”
And further: “What Putin is doing is an absolute disgrace,” adding: “This horrific moment in history sends a chilling message: the message that in this day and age, in 2022, it’s okay to die Violating the rights of free people and allowing autocrats like Putin to take what they want.”
The actress admits that she is now tormented by great worries, she is currently worried about her relatives in the war zone: “I am praying for my family and friends there and everyone who is fighting. I wish you guys had more support and I wish I was there to fight with you guys.”
Fans of the actress immediately asked about her daughter Kaya in the comments – whether she is now in the middle of the war, also with her father, whether she is fine and where she is. Hayden Panettiere was able to give the all-clear, at least here: “She’s safe and not in Ukraine,” wrote the actress. Hopefully the same can be said – safety – for Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko and all Ukrainians, so that not only Kaya can hug her dad and uncle and her Ukrainian relatives, but everyone who has been divided by this war can hug each other again.