On February 26, 2026, as part of the events commemorating the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of Crimea, the premiere of the documentary film “Forgive Me, Mom” will be held. The film centers on the story of Hennadii Afanasiev, a Crimean, a former Kremlin political prisoner, and a Ukrainian soldier who was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine.

Date: February 26, from 18:30 to 21:30

Location: Kyiv, Zhovten Cinema (26 Kostiantynivska St.)

To attend, please register here: https://cutt.ly/utmNNmsO.

Hennadii Afanasiev was an active participant in the protests on February 26, 2014, outside the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. For his participation, the occupiers later illegally detained and convicted him on fabricated charges of “terrorism.” The activist spent 767 days in captivity, enduring torture. In 2022, while defending Ukraine from Russian occupiers, Hennadii was killed near Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region.

After his release from Russian captivity, Hennadii wrote dozens of columns about his arrest and imprisonment. These writings became the basis for the book Rise After A Fall, which will be available for purchase at the registration desk before or after the film screening. Proceeds will go toward a memorial plaque in honor of Hennadii Afanasiev.