Hayden Panettiere says her daughter Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, 7, is “safe and not in Ukraine” following Russia’s invasion of the country.
The 32-year-old Nashville alum confirmed her daughter’s safety in the comment section of a Friday Instagram post where she weighed in on the humanitarian crisis for the first time.
Panettiere shares Kaya with ex-fiancé and former professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko, who hails from Ukraine. Klitschko’s brother Vitali Klitschko is the mayor of Kyiv.
In her Instagram post, Panettiere shared a message of support for the Ukrainian people alongside a photo of herself smiling while preparing to hug an unidentified person.
“I have personally witnessed the strength of the Ukrainian people who fought so hard for their independence and have continued to passionately defend their country over the years,” the actress wrote in the caption.
“This horrific moment in history sends a terrifying message: the message that in this day and age, in year 2022, it’s okay to violate the rights of free people and allow autocrats like Putin to take whatever they please,” she continued.
“I’m praying for my family and friends there and everyone who’s fighting. I wish you had more support and I wish I was there fighting with you!”
“For now, I ask for those of us who can’t be there to stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and show your support for #democracy,” she concluded.
Wladimir, 45, also shared a message supporting his home country Friday on Instagram. In his post, the retired athlete displayed a black-and-white photo, taken by German photographer Michael Pfeiffer, of himself holding his hand up to the camera lens, with the words “demo-cracy” and “#demo4democracy” written on his palm.
“Demonstrations are a key element of democracy. On our continent at this moment fundamental elements of democracy are under threat,” wrote Wladimir in the caption.
He then encouraged others to “get involved and use the freedoms that democracy offers you to express your support and solidarity.”