JK Rowling praises Ukrainian POW who survived four years in hellhole prison by reciting all seven Harry Potter books he'd memorised to his fellow captives

Published: 14:12, 3 August 2026 | Updated: 14:17, 3 August 2026 JK Rowling has praised a Ukrainian POW who endured more than four years in a hellhole Putin jail by reciting the author's Harry Potter books to fellow prisoners of war. Marine Oleksandr 'Finik' Ivanov, 33, was jailed in torture prison Olenivka, but was able to 'hold on to hope' by sharing the stories of witchcraft and wizardry to the other Ukrainians being held around him.  The billionaire author reached out to the loyal fan, who has since been returned to Ukraine as a free man, sharing her felicitations at his release and wished him a 'long and happy life going forward'.   Ms Rowling wrote: '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.' She also sent the POW a signed copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which came as a 'complete surprise' to Mr Ivanov. 'When I was in captivity, I could never have imagined that one day I would receive a letter from J.K. Rowling,' he said. 'Her books helped my fellow prisoners and me hold on to hope, and her words have become a tremendous source of support for me. Marine Oleksandr 'Finik' Ivanov, 33, was jailed in torture prison Olenivka, but was able to 'hold on to hope' by sharing the stories of witchcraft and wizardry to the other Ukrainians around him The lifelong Harry Potter fan was praised by JK Rowling, who sent him a signed copy of the first book At the prisoner exchange, his wife Nelli, their son, Demyd, and friends brought a wand and other Harry Potter items with them in the hope he would be among the released 'I am very happy and deeply grateful.'  Mr Ivanov said he fell in love with the books after reading them as a child, having read them so often he knew them almost by heart - and even has themed tattoos of the wizarding series. He was taken prisoner while defending the Illich Steel Plant in the 36th Marine Brigade, and last contacted his family on April 12, 2022.  At Olenivka - as well as four other Putin penal colonies - he began reciting the books in a bid to find some solace during the torment of a Russian prison. When he finished the last one, fellow inmates asked him to start again from the beginning. The marine compared his nightmare experience behind bars in Russia as 'worse than Azkaban' - the notorious magical prison. At the prisoner exchange, his wife Nelli, their son, Demyd, and friends brought a wand and other Harry Potter items with them in the hope he would be among the released. Mr Ivanov was wounded before being captured and is now undergoing rehabilitation after his ordeal.