Two years ago, during battles with Russian occupiers near the village of Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region, Hennadii “Thor” Afanasiev, a fighter of the 130th Battalion of the 241st Brigade of Territorial Defense Forces, lost his life.

Hennadii’s story is one of unwavering commitment to the fight for freedom, dignity, and the future of Ukraine. Born and raised in Simferopol, he studied in a Ukrainian-language class and dreamed of showing his grandmother a Crimea free from Russian influence. Following the occupation of Crimea in 2014, Hennadii and his mother volunteered to assist blockaded Ukrainian military units, despite the significant risk of being apprehended. On May 9 of that same year, he was abducted by the FSB and sentenced to seven years of unlawful imprisonment on fabricated charges of alleged terrorism.

After spending 767 days in Russian prisons, Hennadii Afanasiev was freed in 2016 as part of a prisoner exchange. Upon returning from captivity, he dedicated himself to advocating for the release of Ukrainian political prisoners. As a special representative of Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he organized international meetings, exhibitions, and charitable events. He also offered free IT courses for veterans, creating a reintegration program designed to help them gain new skills and transition back to civilian life. Hennadii also authored the book Rising After the Fall, a profound reflection on overcoming challenges, the resilience of the human spirit, and the ability to find faith and courage in the darkest of times.

When the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022, Hennadii volunteered to defend his country. Alongside his comrades, he fought for Ukraine in the Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Luhansk regions, remaining steadfast in his oath to the nation he dreamed of seeing free from Russian imperial domination.

“When the first explosions rang out, I knew right away that he would go to war,” said his mother, Olha Afanasieva.

Hennadii “Thor” Afanasiev leaves behind a legacy of courage, faith, and unwavering love for Ukraine. His memory will endure in the hearts of all who knew him and in the lives of those who continue to fight for the same ideals of freedom and dignity.