Benedict Cumberbatch offers his home to refugees fleeing Ukraine
Watch: Benedict Cumberbatch discusses Putin's 'toxic masculinity'
Benedict Cumberbatch has offered to share his home with refugees fleeing the warzone in Ukraine.
The Power Of The Dog star — who lives in London with his wife and three children — attended the Bafta film awards in the capital, where he praised those who have offered to house Ukrainian people seeking refuge in the UK, and said he would be doing the same.
Cumberbatch, who wore a pin representing the Ukrainian flag on his lapel at the ceremony, told Sky News: "We have brothers and sisters who are suffering ... civilians at large who are being shelled and shot at and being killed and made homeless without power and food.
Read more: Benedict Cumberbatch calls for action in Ukraine as he receives Hollywood star
"It is a really shocking time to be a European two and a half hours flight away from Ukraine, and it’s something that hangs over us.
"This is what I’m trying to do to show that I’m standing side-by-side with my brothers and sisters who are going through this.
"We all need to do more than wear a badge. We need to donate, we need to pressure our politicians to continue to create some kind of a refugee safety and a haven here for people who are suffering.
"Everyone needs to do as much as they can … there’s been a record number of people volunteering to take people into their homes, I hope to be part of that myself."
The 45-year-old star of Sherlock and Doctor Strange has three sons aged between six and three with theatre director wife Sophie Hunter.
He plays a domineering cowboy in Jane Campion's The Power Of The Dog which won Best Film and Best Director at the ceremony.
Cumberbatch compared his character's 'toxic masculinity' to that of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He said: "We've seen a rise of so called strong men in the world, practising toxic masculinity on a global scale, none as more potent at the moment as sadly what Putin is doing."
Cumberbatch added: "I understand that gestures can be quite hollow in the face of overwhelming misery that Putin and his regime are raining down daily, hourly upon innocent civilians. But it's something I feel very strongly about."
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Housing Secretary Michael Gove has announced the Homes for Ukraine scheme, under which people can nominated an individual or family fleeing the Ukraine to stay in their home for up to six months. He added households will be offered £350 a month to help with the costs.
Russian president Vladimir Putin began his military invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, prompting hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians to attempt to flee the country.