World

Game of Thrones Actor Spends Night in Kyiv Metro Shelter Amid Ongoing Air Raid Alerts

By Trisha Bhattacharya

Danish actor Nikolaj Coster‑Waldau, best known for playing Jaime Lannister in HBO’s Game of Thrones, spent the night of 28 October in an underground metro station in Kyiv while residents sought shelter from Russian missile and drone attacks. He posted photographs and a brief message on Instagram Stories, describing the experience as “pretty rough” and noting that for many Ukrainians, seeking shelter is a necessity rather than a choice. Coster‑Waldau, who is visiting Ukraine as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), highlighted the importance of supporting civilians and upholding international rules. The actor wore a blue UNDP hoodie and carried a backpack and a separate bag of supplies. He also shared a screenshot of Kyiv’s air‑raid alerts, showing the capital under red alert levels from 27 to 29 October. Red alerts, introduced in September 2026, indicate a heightened threat of missile or combined attacks. Underground metro stations serve as shelters when such warnings are issued. In addition to his stay in the metro, Coster‑Waldau led a UNDP delegation to the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant on 26 October. The visit was part of a documentary project aimed at highlighting the plant’s challenges during the war, including damage to the New Safe Confinement structure, the need for restoration work, and the importance of maintaining nuclear and radiation safety. The actor has served as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador since 2016, supporting campaigns on climate action, gender equality, and vulnerable communities. His presence in Kyiv comes at a time when international attention and assistance remain crucial for Ukraine.