Eduard Kuznetsov, Soviet refusenik and would-be Jewish hijacker, died today 

In a poignant twist of historical significance, the story of Eduard Kuznetsov – a legendary Soviet refusenik and pivotal figure in the Jewish resistance movement – came full circle with the release of his daughter Anat Zalmanson-Kuznetsov's documentary "Operation Wedding" in 2017.

Kuznetsov, who passed away today at 85, was more than just a historical footnote. He was a symbol of resistance, a writer, and a central figure in the struggle to help Jews escape the oppressive Soviet regime.

In 1970, Kuznetsov led a daring plan to hijack an empty civilian aircraft with 16 other refuseniks – a desperate attempt to flee to the West. The Soviet response was swift and brutal: a death sentence that shocked the international community.

The plan, meticulously detailed in the new documentary, was both audacious and compassionate. The would-be hijackers had purchased all plane tickets, prepared sleeping bags for pilots, and even planned tetanus shots and vodka to ensure the pilots' comfort during their unexpected journey.

But the KGB intervened, arresting the group before they could take flight. Kuznetsov's death sentence became a global cause célèbre, ultimately commuted to 15 years of imprisonment following international pressure.

When his daughter Anat asked if they were terrorists, Kuznetsov laughed and replied, "Certainly we were terrorists. But we were good terrorists."

Released in 1979 through a prisoner exchange with the United States, Kuznetsov moved to Israel, continuing his fight for Soviet Jewry through writing and journalism. His "Prison Diary", smuggled out page by page while incarcerated, became a powerful testament to human resilience.

The documentary "Operation Wedding" offers an intimate look at this extraordinary chapter of resistance. It reveals the human stories behind the political struggle – the cold prison cells, the hunger strikes, the unwavering hope for freedom.

As the Jewish community mourns Kuznetsov's passing, his legacy lives on – a reminder that courage can transform seemingly impossible dreams into reality.

The Times of Israel contributed to this article.