Ukrainian rights activist and former political prisoner Hennadiy Afanasyev has died fighting Russian troops in eastern Ukraine. Afanasyev's wife, Lyudmyla Afanasyeva, told RFE/RL on December 21 that her husband was killed in combat in eastern Ukraine. Afanasyev enlisted in the Ukrainian Army soon after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February. He spent two years as a political prisoner after being arrested on terrorism charges shortly after Crimea was seized in 2014. He was released in a prisoner swap in 2016. To read the original story from RFE/RL's Crimea.Realities, click here.
Noted Crimean Activist Afanasyev Dies Fighting Russian Troops In Ukraine
Hennadiy Afanasyev spent two years as a political prisoner after being arrested on terrorism charges shortly after Crimea was seized in 2014. He was released in a prisoner swap in 2016. (file photo)