J. K. Rowling Supports Ukrainian Defender Who Retold Harry Potter While in Russian Captivity
British author J. K. Rowling has sent a personal letter and a signed copy of one of her books to Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Ivanov, who spent 1,494 days in Russian captivity. During his imprisonment, he recounted all 7 Harry Potter books from memory to fellow Ukrainian prisoners of war, helping them endure some of the darkest days of their lives.
Ukrainian marine Oleksandr Ivanov fell in love with the world of Harry Potter as a child. He reread J. K. Rowling's books so many times that he knew them almost by heart. In 2015, he joined the Ukrainian Marine Corps. At the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, he defended Mariupol as part of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade. After the battles at the Illich Steel Plant on April 12, 2022, Oleksandr spoke with his family before being taken into Russian captivity, where he spent more than 4 years.
Prisoners were forbidden from speaking to one another, so Oleksandr began quietly whispering the story of Harry Potter to his fellow prisoners, one book after another, making sure the guards could not hear him. Many of them had never read J. K. Rowling's books before. Whenever Oleksandr finished a story, the others would ask him to start again from the beginning.
Over time, they began to identify themselves with the characters from the books. They saw themselves as prisoners of Azkaban, with their Russian guards as Dementors. The strongest Patronus that helped them endure, Oleksandr recalls, was the belief that their loved ones were waiting for them at home and that one day they would return.
Oleksandr's story gained widespread attention in Ukraine through reports by TSN, in which his wife, Nelli Ivanova, shared his story. His friends — TSN correspondents Natalia Nahorna and Nelli Kovalska, together with Nelli's son Stepan — also covered every prisoner exchange, hoping to see Oleksandr among those returning home. Each time, they brought symbolic gifts from the Harry Potter universe: a wand, a toy snowy owl, socks reading "Dobby is Free," and a poster featuring one of the saga's best-known quotes: "’After all this time?’ — ‘Always.’" They shared these moments on social media.
The NGO Ukraine WOW came across Oleksandr's story and decided to reach out to J. K. Rowling.
Julia Solovey
and Yaroslava Gres
"When we learned about Oleksandr and his love for the Harry Potter universe, we knew we couldn't stand aside. We wanted the author of Harry Potter to know how her stories had helped a Ukrainian defender and his fellow prisoners endure Russian captivity. Today in Ukraine, stories about the struggle between good and evil; about friendship, courage and protecting those you love, have taken on an entirely new meaning. We were overjoyed to receive not only a reply, but also a signed book and a personal message from J. K. Rowling for Oleksandr. It means so much to us that we could present this gift on the birthday of both Harry Potter and his creator," said Ukraine WOW Co-Founders, Yaroslava Gres and Julia Solovey.
J. K. Rowling wrote a personal message of support to Oleksandr:
"I heard that you are a great Harry Potter fan, and that these stories became a source of support for you during Russian captivity. I am so happy to learn that you have been freed and have returned home to Ukraine. With all my heart, I wish you a long and happy life."
The letter and signed book were presented to Oleksandr on July 31 — the birthday of both J. K. Rowling and her most famous character.
"When I was in captivity, I could never have imagined that one day I would receive a letter from J. K. Rowling. Her books helped me and my fellow prisoners hold on to hope, and her words have become a great source of strength for me. I am incredibly happy and deeply grateful. Yours sincerely, 'The Major Who Lived,'" said Oleksandr Ivanov.
Ukraine Wow