Iryna Farion, a fierce figure in Ukrainian politics, dies at 68

Lviv's former education chief was a vocal critic of Russia and its influence in Ukraine

Farion's death comes as the war in Ukraine continues to escalate

Iryna Farion, a former education chief in Lviv, Ukraine, and a vocal critic of Russia, has died at the age of 68. Farion was a controversial figure in Ukrainian politics, known for her strong views on language and education policy.

Farion was born in Lviv in 1954. She studied philology at Lviv University and worked as a teacher and journalist before entering politics. In 2010, she was elected to the Lviv City Council on the Svoboda party ticket. She served as the city's education chief from 2010 to 2014.

Farion was a strong advocate for the Ukrainian language. She opposed the use of Russian in Ukrainian schools and media. She also criticized the Russian government and its influence in Ukraine. In 2014, she was banned from entering Russia for 50 years.

Farion's death comes as the war in Ukraine continues to escalate. She was a vocal supporter of the Ukrainian government and its efforts to defend the country against Russian aggression.