Hollywood star Angelina Jolie has described the constant threat of drone attacks faced by people living near Ukraine’s frontline following her surprise visit to the country.

“You hear a low hum in the sky. It’s become known locally as a ‘human safari,’ with drones used to track, hunt and terrorise people, constantly,” she wrote in an Instagram post on Sunday (Australian time).

“There was a moment when we had to pause and wait while a drone flew overhead,” Jolie posted alongside photos of an underground clinic and rubble clean-up, as well as a video of a remembrance wall for victims of the war.

Jolie highlighted that she wore protective gear during her visit last week as a UN Goodwill Ambassador.

The US actor visited the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions, where she met families living near the front lines. Many had relocated their schools and hospitals to underground shelters for safety.

“It was hard but inspiring to witness,” Jolie said.

Photos showed the star in a flak jacket in a basement, and meeting children in a windowless room. The Legacy of War Foundation said Jolie toured medical and educational facilities that had been relocated underground to escape constant Russian attacks.

Kherson, once home to nearly 300,000 people, is the biggest city within range of Russia’s frontline weapons, making it one of Ukraine’s most dangerous cities. It was occupied by Russian forces from March 2022 until they withdrew eight months later across the Dnipro River, where they remain on the opposite bank.

A UN inquiry found last month that Russia has been chasing down civilians who live near the front line with drones, forcing thousands to flee in what amounts to a crime against humanity. Russia denies intentionally targeting civilians.

Local officials said Ukraine’s military downed about 2500 of 2646 Russian drones launched to attack Kherson region just last week.

“We are very grateful for [Jolie’s visit] and for the fact that people are coming here,” Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, deputy head of Kherson’s regional administration, told Ukraine’s main state-controlled TV.

“Sometimes it seems that we have been forgotten, but we can see that this is not the case.”

Jolie previously visited Ukraine in April 2022, travelling to Lviv close to the border with Poland. While there, she was rushed to the safety of a bunker when air raid sirens sounded, sparking fears of an imminent rocket attack.

Jolie was the UN’s special envoy for refugee issues from 2012-22.