Mark Hamill Issues Ukraine Air Raid Warnings as Luke Skywalker

star wars Actor Mark Hamill lent his voice to a Ukrainian air raid app to warn citizens of impending attacks during the ongoing conflict with Russia. “Caution. Air raid alert. Head for the nearest shelter,” says Hamill on Air Alert, an app linked to Ukraine’s air defense system. When the threat has passed, Hamill signs “The alert is finished. May the force be with you.”

Invoking his beloved Luke Skywalker character, some of the lines contain recognizable quotes from the star wars candor like “Don’t be careless. Your overconfidence is your weakness. You can hear a few lines in the following video starting at around 56 seconds:

Hamill’s Hollywood-inspired contributions are available on iOS, Android, and Huawei as an optional English setting in the Air Alert app in addition to its Ukrainian alerts. The actor provided lines that notify users of missile attacks, bombings, street fights, radiation and chemical threats.

The voiceover was first announced last year alongside a partnership between Air Alert and United24 – a global initiative raising charitable donations to support Ukraine. Hamill is an ambassador for United24, which was launched by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in May 2022.

Hamil was a vocal Support of Ukraine throughout its conflict with Russia, after raffling off autographs star wars posters to raise funds for Ukrainian forces to purchase reconnaissance drones. “Here I sit in the comfort of my own home when in Ukraine there are power cuts and food shortages and people are really suffering,” he said. “It motivates me to do everything I can.”

Hamill also sees similarities between the Ukrainian struggle and the Rebel Alliance’s struggle against the totalitarian Galactic Empire in the star wars franchise. “A fairy tale about good versus evil resonates with what is happening in Ukraine,” Hamill said in an interview with The Associated Press. “The people of Ukraine have rallied to the cause and responded so heroically… It’s impossible not to be inspired by how they weathered this storm.”

The sci-fi fandom crossover may feel like it trivializes the real-world conflict, but some Ukrainian residents have found solace — or maybe strength! — at Hamill’s star wars-influenced voiceover. “It’s a very cool expression for this situation,” Kyiv entrepreneur Olena Yeremina said in an interview with The Associated Press. “I wouldn’t say I feel like a Ukrainian Jedi, but sometimes that phrase reminds me to straighten my shoulders and keep working.”