President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has awarded military man Gennadiy Afanasiev the Order “For Courage” of the III degree. By his Decree No. 6/2023, the Head of State recognized the merits of the deceased Crimean citizen, former political prisoner, civil activist and brave soldier who selflessly fought to liberate his native Crimea from the occupiers: https://cutt.ly/w7EXHrT

Back in 2014, Gennadiy spoke out against the Russian occupation, for which he was detained by the FSB in Simferopol for allegedly “preparing terrorist attacks.” He was tortured to give false testimony against Oleg Sentsov, but at a hearing of the occupation court, he recanted his “confession” and told about the torture. Thanks to Afanasyev, the details of the occupiers’ abuse of civilians became known to the general public. In 2016, Ukraine managed to release the political prisoner as part of a mutual exchange.

On the outside, Gennadiy wrote a book about his life in illegal detention, got married, and became a father. He continued to fight for the release of Ukrainian political prisoners in occupied Crimea and Russia. On the first day of the full-scale invasion, the Crimean joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and defended our country on the battlefield. This is how “Tor” appeared as part of the 130th TRO Battalion of the 241st Brigade. The soldier fought with the occupiers in the Luhansk sector. Hennadii’s death was reported on December 21, 2022.

For personal courage and selflessness in the defense of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, for loyalty to the military oath, may the hero of Ukraine be eternally glorified!