16, a day before she was killed by Russian forces.In August 2020, Zaitseva participated in the protests in Minsk against alleged presidential election fraud in Belarus. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko claimed to have won elections by a landslide with 80% of the vote, provoking nationwide protests and a subsequent regime crackdown on dissent.During protests, fragments of a flash grenade severely injured Zaitseva's arm and head. Her photo from the protests with her face covered in blood went viral."Gravely injured during the 2020 Belarus protests, she gave her life for freedom," said Belarusian opposition leader Svitlana Tsikhanouskaya, describing Zaitseva as "an icon of our revolution."This is utterly heartbreaking. Maria Zaitseva, an icon of our revolution, was killed at just 24 years old while defending 🇺🇦.

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https://kyivindependent.com/24-year-old-belarusian-volunteer-soldier-killed-in-action/