Mariupol defender, 22, describes his captivity in letters

Mark Mykhailov, a 22-year-old Mariupol defender, has been held captive in Russia for four years after being captured at the Azovstal steel plant. His family and friends can communicate with him only through letters. In one of them, Mark sent a poem to his mother.

Source: Mark's friend Zlata in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda.Zhyttia (Life)

Details: Zlata also shared the letters Mark has sent from captivity.

"I have known Mark since school. We were in the same class and also lived in the same block in Mariupol. He always brought a smile to people's faces near the drama theatre, performing card tricks – he was fascinated by them. He also loved playing football," the young woman recalled.

On 24 February 2022, 18-year-old Mark went to defend his native Mariupol, The Bridge Media reports. In April, he suffered a shrapnel wound to his neck during the fighting, as well as other injuries and concussion. A month later, after the defence of Mariupol, Mark was taken prisoner.

His loved ones managed to establish correspondence with him only four years later, in April 2026. At the time, he said he weighed just 54 kg. His family does not know his current weight.

His health has deteriorated significantly during his time in Russian captivity. Mark has been diagnosed with tuberculosis and damage to both lungs requiring urgent treatment.

On 18 March 2026, a Russian court sentenced Mark to five and a half years in prison on charges of participating in a "terrorist organisation". This is how the Russian side classifies his affiliation with the Azov Brigade.

In one of his letters, Mark described being transferred from Volgograd. On 11 September 2026, he was taken away for transfer. He later ended up in Izhevsk. Before the journey, Mark tried to take care of the most important thing – making sure his loved ones received word from him.

"Having written a letter to my mum and my friend Zlata, I was left alone with my thoughts," Mark said.

The young man said he is glad to have the opportunity to communicate, at least through correspondence, which had not been possible before.

"Reading the letters from my friends and loved ones, I realise that ordinary life is going on, with its intrigues, quarrels and life as usual. I reread a letter from my friend and realised how much he has grown up," Mark wrote.

In his letters, the young man reflects on his life after 2022.

Quote from Mark: "Reading these stories, you immediately begin to live in your mind the life that disappeared in 2022… You take your mind off things for a while, and then you become sad. That is why I try not to reread the letters.

Sitting in this place, I've begun to realise how I simply wasted my time on unnecessary things and people I did not need. Everything is now in the past, the present is here, and the future – you can try to grasp it with your hands, but if the circumstances are stronger, you can end up in trouble."

Details: In another message, the young man dreamed about how he would spend his day if he were free.

"Without bars, with a thermos and the person I love, it would make for a wonderful weekend," Mark wrote.

He also wrote a letter to his mother, urging her not to grieve for him and to stay strong. The young man dedicated a poem to her.

Background: Russia previously sentenced three teenagers from Melitopol for "terrorism". The three young men from temporarily occupied Melitopol, who were accused of "terrorism", received harsh sentences in fabricated cases. They were 16-17 years old when they were detained.

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