Game of Thrones star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau spends night in Kiev subway shelter amid threats of Russian airstrikes | Photos | Today’s news
Game of Thrones actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau spent Wednesday night in an underground metro station in Kyiv, Ukraine, as residents sought shelter from the threat of Russian missile and drone attacks.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau spends the night in a subway station in Kyiv during the raids
The Danish actor later shared photos of his experience on social media, drawing attention to the harsh conditions Ukrainian civilians face.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, best known for his role as Jaime Lannister in HBO’s popular fantasy series Game of Thrones, spent the night of October 28 in a Kyiv metro station as air raid warnings continued in the Ukrainian capital.
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Sharing his experience on Instagram Stories, Coster-Waldau described the night as difficult, pointing out the difference between his temporary experience and what Ukrainian residents have to endure on a regular basis.
“Spent the night in Kyiv metro. Pretty rough night (sic),” he wrote.
He further emphasized that thousands of Ukrainians have no choice but to seek shelter whenever attacks threaten their cities.
“One night I have to do it and tell the story, but for thousands of Ukrainians it is imperative to be safe during the shelling. We must continue to help civilians and follow the rules we all agree on @undp (sic),” he added.
The actor is currently visiting Ukraine as a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) goodwill ambassador. His visit comes as the country continues to deal with the impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion and repeated airstrikes on civilian areas and infrastructure.
The actor shares photos from the underground shelter
Photos from the subway station showed Coster-Waldau resting on a makeshift cot. He was wearing a blue UNDP sweatshirt and appeared to be carrying a backpack and a separate bag containing his supplies.
The actor also shared a screenshot of the Kyiv airstrikes, which showed the Ukrainian capital under red alert for three consecutive days, from October 27 to 29.
The alerts are part of Ukraine’s warning system, which informs residents of potential aerial threats. Under the system introduced in September 2026, a red alert signals an increased threat of a missile or combined attack.
Kyiv metro stations also serve as shelters, allowing residents to move underground when warnings are issued.
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Coster-Waldau’s experience offered a glimpse into what ordinary residents face during such warnings. While his stay in the metro lasted one night, many Ukrainians had to repeatedly interrupt their daily lives and seek shelter due to the ongoing threat of airstrikes.
Why is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau visiting Ukraine?
Coster-Waldau has served as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador since 2016. Through her association with the organization, she supports campaigns on climate action, gender equality and broader challenges facing vulnerable communities.
His current visit includes a trip to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. According to the plant’s official website, the actor led a UNDP delegation that visited the facility on October 26. The visit was linked to a documentary project to highlight the challenges the plant and the surrounding closed zone faced during the war.
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The delegation discussed the damage suffered by the structure of the new safe shelter, the need for restoration work and the importance of maintaining nuclear and radiation safety. The plant also faces challenges in ensuring reliable energy supplies during the conflict.
The actor’s presence in Kyiv comes at a time when international attention and continued aid are important to Ukraine.
