Ukrainian soldier survived four years in Russian captivity by reciting Harry Potter

Oleksandr Ivanov, a Ukrainian Marine major and defender of Mariupol, survived four years of Russian captivity by reciting the entire Harry Potter saga from memory to his fellow detainees. Ivanov stated that the stories provided hope and helped him build a mental defense against dark thoughts during his imprisonment.

Following his release in May 2026, Ivanov is undergoing rehabilitation. After learning of his story through his wife, author J. K. Rowling sent him a letter of thanks. Ivanov described the conditions of his detention as inhumane, noting that he lost 35 kilograms during his time in captivity and accused his captors of disregarding the Geneva Conventions.