American actor and UNITED24 ambassador Liev Schreiber found himself in an air raid shelter in Kyiv on Thursday, hours after Russian missiles and drones killed at least 16 people across the Ukrainian capital. The overnight barrage left debris and burnt-out cars in the Solomianskyi district, where Schreiber later walked through the damage.
Speaking to reporters, Schreiber said the attacks underscored the urgent need for stronger air defenses. "I think as someone who's kind of familiar with these attacks, what I notice is that they seem to be much more frequent in Kyiv," he said. "And for me it really highlights the need for compelling air defense strategies."
He specifically called for the resumption of US support for Patriot missile systems, which have been crucial in intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. "I know that at one point, you know, we were providing Patriots, and I'm really hopeful that that program can start up again," he said, adding that the destruction he witnessed showed "how important that is, how necessary it is to try to stop some of these really powerful munitions before they achieve their targets which you know are clearly civilian population."
As he spoke, an air raid siren wailed, forcing Schreiber and his entourage to take cover in a hospital shelter in the Solomianskyi district. From the bunker, he reflected on the psychological toll of living under constant threat.
A war of attrition and resilience
"The problem with these wars is when you're living underneath them and four or five times a week you're in an air raid shelter like this, it's hard to have perspective," Schreiber said. "But I just hope that they realize what they've accomplished and I think how close they are to success."
Schreiber, who has Ukrainian grandparents, has served as a UNITED24 ambassador since 2022, helping raise funds for humanitarian and medical aid. He described the war as a global struggle for democracy, noting that many see Ukraine as a frontline in that fight.
Despite the exhaustion of nearly four years of conflict, Schreiber said he sensed a new mood among Ukrainians. "There's a sense of the exhaustion and I think there's a sense, a very real sense of four years, but I think there's this other thing happening that's new, that's different which is a level of optimism and a clarity," he said. "And I hope a sense of confidence in what they've achieved and what they're going to continue to achieve and what ultimately they're going to achieve."
The visit came as Russia launched scores of missiles and drones at Kyiv and the surrounding region, causing widespread damage. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted many, but the sheer volume of attacks has stretched resources thin.
Schreiber's plea for renewed Patriot support echoes broader concerns among European allies about the sustainability of Ukraine's air defense umbrella. Several EU member states, including Germany and the Netherlands, have contributed Patriot systems, but the need for more remains acute.
For Schreiber, the experience was a stark reminder of the stakes. "For me it's, you know, it's one of the clearest examples of the struggle that's going around, I think the struggle all over the world with democracy," he said. "And a lot of people think that I'm involved in Ukraine because I have Ukrainian grandparents..."
As he left the shelter, the actor expressed hope that the world would not forget Ukraine's fight. "It's probably hard to see that now when you're sitting in a bomb shelter, but I see it," he said.
