Joanne Rowling Sends Letter and Book to Ukrainian Marine
Major Oleksandr Ivanov spent more than four years in Russian captivity, and the stories of the young wizard provided comfort to him and his comrades.
Major Oleksandr Ivanov spent more than four years in Russian captivity, and the stories of the young wizard provided comfort to him and his comrades.
British author Joanne Rowling has sent a touching gift to Ukrainian defender Major Oleksandr Ivanov after hearing his incredible story of survival in Russian captivity. Ivanov spent over four years imprisoned in Russia, where he lifted his own and his comrades' spirits by recounting all the Harry Potter books from memory, reports UNIAN Ukraine.
Rowling learned of the Ukrainian marine's story thanks to his wife, Nelli. She wrote a letter to Rowling during the winter, describing what her husband had gone through. She compared the Russian prison to Azkaban, the infamous wizarding prison from the Harry Potter world, stating that the reality was far more terrifying than the fiction.
The famous author's response did not disappoint. Rowling sent Major Ivanov a personal letter and a copy of the book with her own handwritten signature. The news of this extraordinary gift was published on August 1, 2026.
"Dear Alexander, I heard that you are a big fan of Harry and that those stories brought you comfort during your captivity in Russia. I am very glad to hear that you have been released and have returned home to Ukraine. I wish you a long and happy life," reads the letter from Joanne Rowling, as reported by UNIAN Ukraine.
Oleksandr Ivanov shared the news of the gift and letter on his Instagram profile, not hiding his excitement. Alongside photos of the sent gift, he thanked the author and quoted a character from her saga, Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
"We received a response from Joanne Rowling! Miracles happen! Because happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light," the Ukrainian marine wrote in his post.
The story of the brave major quickly spread across social media, becoming a symbol of hope and human connection in difficult times, and the unexpected gesture from one of the world's most famous authors touched many more.
