Mark Hamill has said President Volodymyr Zelensky has been “absolutely heroic” during the Russian invasion as he revealed the Ukrainian leader compared Russia to the “Evil Empire” in Star Wars.
The 71-year-old Star Wars actor is an ambassador for the United24 project, which donates drones to the Ukrainian military.
Speaking to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg on her Sunday morning politics show, Hamill paid tribute to Mr Zelensky, saying: “I was so fascinated by this man … because he has been absolutely heroic.
“And the Ukrainian people have been inspiring. He’s an incredible man.”
She said Mr Zelensky had referenced the Star Wars films when the pair met in September, adding: “He referenced the films. And it’s not hard to see why.
“Star Wars was always a fairy tale for children and fairy tales are moral tales of good versus evil, where good is clearly defined, evil is clearly defined.
“It’s not hard to extrapolate an Evil Empire with Russia invading a sovereign nation. So it’s not surprising, and that’s probably what attracted him to me.
“Obviously, we didn’t dwell on it; I mean, I was surprised he had time in his schedule to even talk to me.”
Hamill added with a laugh, “When we talked for so long I thought, shouldn’t you go back to work?”
The American actor revealed his involvement in the United24 project last month, saying he was “honoured” to be asked.
His role includes raising funds to support Ukrainian defenders, the Drone Army, a project created by the Ukrainian government to acquire unmanned drones to aid the war effort.
The drones will be used to monitor the 2,470-kilometer front line and provide an effective response to enemy attacks, the project’s website said.
Asked by Kuenssberg if the platform would be used to supply lethal technology, Hamill replied: “Ukraine needs drones.
“They have some drones but not as many as the Russians.”
