Pasha Lee Dead At 33: Ukrainian Actor Killed Amid Russian Attacks
Pasha Lee, a Ukrainian actor and TV host, was killed while defending Ukraine amid the Russian invasion. He was 33.
Local reports first confirmed the news, saying that Lee succumbed during an attack in Irpin, Ukraine, on Sunday. The country's Odesa International Film Festival Facebook account also confirmed the news, saying that the actor joined the ranks of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to support and defend the country against Russian occupiers.
The organization also took its time to promote a powerful petition, "Call for a boycott of Russian cinema," to cripple the invader's economy.
"We call on the world community to help Ukraine in the fight against Russia and stop the war. We urge you to close the sky over Ukraine immediately and continue to boycott Russian cinema," the caption says.
His passing came after he posted a photo of him for the last time on Friday. The snap features him in Irpen wearing camouflage gear, telling his followers that he just got the chance to sit down after 48 hours.
Amid the invasion, he showed positivity by assuring everyone they would manage and that everything would "be UKRAINE [okay]."
Lee was known for dubbing Ukrainian versions of several movies, including "The Hobbit" and "The Lion King. He also appeared in 2021 TV drama "Provincial" before his death.
Ukraine Loses More As Russian Attacks Continue
Pasha Lee was not the first personality to be killed while defending his country.
Most recently, two Ukrainian soccer players also died amid the invasion. The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) first confirmed the tragic news in a statement on Tuesday, confirming that athletes Vitalli Sapylo and Dmytro Martnenko died during their service.
"Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and teammates of young Ukrainian footballers Vitalii Sapylo (21) and Dmytro Martynenko (25), football's first reported losses in this war. May they both rest in peace," FIFPRO said.
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FIFPRO general secretary Baer Hoffman told BBC 5 Live that sports fans should expect that more players are involved in the war. But he could not give the specific number of their members who are currently defending the country amid the conflict and the degree of risk they are facing.
Meanwhile, former junior biathlete Yevhen Malyshev, 19,
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