On October 1, on Defenders' Day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed decrees on awarding the title of Hero of Ukraine posthumously to Gennady Afanasyev, a native of Crimea, former political prisoner, activist, and EPAM employee.
On October 1, on Defenders' Day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed decrees on awarding the title of Hero of Ukraine posthumously to Gennady Afanasyev, a native of Crimea, former political prisoner, activist, and EPAM employee.
"For personal courage and heroism shown in protecting the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, selfless service to the Ukrainian people, I decree: To confer the title of Hero of Ukraine with the award of the Order of the Golden Star to AFANASIEV Gennady Sergeevich - senior soldier (posthumously)," the decree of the President of Ukraine states .
Gennady Afanasyev is a Crimean activist who was illegally imprisoned by Russia in 2014 on trumped-up charges of "terrorism." In June 2016, he was released in exchange with Yuriy Soloshenko. As a special representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, he actively advocated for the release of those still held in captivity. Since 2018, Gennady has worked with EPAM as a Senior Software Testing Engineer.
With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he volunteered to join the 130th battalion of the TRO. On December 18, 2022, the 32-year-old Defender of Ukraine died in the Luhansk region near Bilogorivka. He was posthumously awarded the Order "For Courage" of the 3rd degree.
In January 2024, public activists created a petition to award Gennady the honorary title of Hero of Ukraine.
"Hennady Afanasyev is a man of honor and courage, a warrior who has become an example of fortitude for many, having been at war with Russian aggression since 2014. He bravely looked the enemy in the face and remained steadfast to the latter. The courage, indomitability, and life path of Gennady Afanasyev deserve the highest state award - Hero of Ukraine," the petition says.
In addition to Gennady Afanasyev, Zelenskyy awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine to Andriy Parubiy, Stepan Chubenko, and Volodymyr Vakulenko.
