Olga Nazarenko

Olga Nazarenko was an activist, lecturer, anti-war protester and a medical academic, an associate professor and teacher at the state medical Academy.

For years, she participated in demonstrations supporting Ukraine, and after the outbreak of the full-scale war in 2022, she reportedly carried out weekly solo anti-war protests despite increasing threats and surveillance.

Authorities repeatedly fined and prosecuted her under laws relating to “discrediting the Russian army.” Her apartment was raided multiple times, criminal cases were opened against her, and eventually she lost her university position because of her activism.

During the investigation, she was prohibited from leaving the country, and her case was pacified. She was physically attacked in the street, and someone scrawled the word “traitor” across her postbox.

Then, in October 2023, Olga died in the hospital after sustaining catastrophic injuries under unclear circumstances on the night of the 7th of October. Friends and lawyers questioned the official explanation and raised concerns about the lack of a proper investigation surrounding her death.

Despite repeated requests, Olga’s lawyer was denied access to the full police medical records and was told that Olga had been found and brought to the hospital following an accident involving a fall from a great height.

Friends of Olga suspect that she may have been planning a demostration for Putin‘s birthday on the 7th of October, perhaps involving a banner being hung from a high place. However, given that Olga had previously been the victim of physical attacks and had been under police surveillance, her death had not been investigated; her friends and lawyer believed that it may not have been an accident but an act of violence.

They are also certain that Olga wouldn’t have tried to commit suicide. Before her death, Olga explained why she continued speaking out despite the danger.

She has participated in the street in support of Ukraine since 2019. Following the outbreak of the foot girl war in 2022, she began holding one-person war protests every week.

“I understand I may face problems, but I am not afraid. What’s happening to Russia and Ukraine today is much worse than what is happening to me. I cannot remain silent; otherwise, I will be ashamed to look at myself in the mirror. My childhood coincided with perestroika. When discussions and publications about Stalin‘s repressions first emerged, I was 15 years old and kept asking myself. Why was everyone silent? I asked my grandfather about it, and he was very embarrassed. I don’t want my grandchildren to ask me similar question years later. In fact, I want to make sure that I will be able to answer it.”

Olga Nazarenko