Worse than Azkaban: JK Rowling replies to Ukrainian marine released from Russian captivity – photos
JK Rowling has responded to a fan letter from a Ukrainian marine who spent more than four years in Russian captivity. As a prisoner, Oleksandr Ivanov used to retell stories from the Harry Potter series to his fellow POWs.
Source: Ukraine WOW and the A-BA-BA-GA-LA-MA-HA publishing house
Details: While Oleksandr's wife Nelli and their son Demyd were anxiously waiting for his return, Nelli wrote to Rowling, telling her about her husband and how the Harry Potter books had been a support to him in his darkest moments.
"Stories about The Boy Who Lived helped the prisoners not to lose hope, even in a place worse than Azkaban," the publisher said.
Oleksandr was freed from captivity on 15 May 2026, and on 31 July – the birthday of both JK Rowling and Harry Potter – his family received a reply from the writer.
Quote from Oleksandr: "When I was in captivity, I could not even have imagined that one day I would receive a letter from JK Rowling. Her books helped me and my fellow soldiers not to lose hope, and her words became a great support for me. I am very happy and deeply grateful."
The British author sent a letter with her warmest wishes and included a signed copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone for Oleksandr.
Quote from Rowling: "Dear Oleksandr, I hear you are a great fan of "Harry's" and of the comfort the stories gave you during your captivity in Russia. I am so very happy to hear that you have been released and have returned home to Ukraine and wish you a long and happy life going forward."
Oleksandr, alias Finik, served in the 36th Marine Brigade, which defended Mariupol at the start of the full-scale invasion, The Ukrainians Media reported.
After being wounded, Oleksandr was captured with his comrades. He survived imprisonment in occupied Olenivka, Russia's Taganrog, Bryansk Oblast, Vladimir Oblast and a penal colony in Mordovia.
Oleksandr is a devoted Harry Potter fan who knows all seven books nearly by heart and even has Potter-themed tattoos. His wife and friends used to bring a wand with them to prisoner exchanges.
When he finally returned to Ukraine, a photo of Oleksandr wearing a Gryffindor T-shirt went viral on social media and he was inundated with "welcome home" messages from Ukrainians.
He is currently recovering after his ordeal and undergoing rehabilitation.
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