Artist Lubov Panchenko dies after starvation in occupied Bucha

Panchenko, a dissident Ukrainian artist, part of the anti-totalitarian intellectual and cultural “Sixtier” movement, has died at the age of 84, after starving in Russian-occupied Bucha.

The mayor of Bucha Anatoliy Fedorchuk reported her passing on Facebook.

“Our community has now suffered a great loss – Bucha and all of Ukraine have become impoverished by this loss of another generous, unique talent. Honorary citizen of the city, winner of the Vasyl Stus Prize, artist and fashion designer Lyubov Panchenko passed away at the age of 85. She was one of the patriots-of the 1960s who, despite Kremlin pressure, developed Ukrainian culture despite Soviet censorship. All her works had a pronounced Ukrainian flavor, which was why she was persecuted and her work was silenced. Lyubov Panchenko could not be broken by the SCC (USSR State Security Committee - Ed.), but the artist suffered greatly during the new Russian invasion,” Fedoruk wrote.