Gaining 20 Kilos in Captivity: A Russian Soldier Awaits Exchange
The story of 27-year-old Russian serviceman Alexei Biloborodov, from Ussuriysk, evokes both curiosity and sympathy. Mobilized in late September 2022 and deployed to the Zaporizhzhia front, his life changed dramatically. Before the war, he worked in a cardboard factory, but spent a year and a half on the front lines. Following a period of leave, he was arrested, sentenced to eight years in prison, and served about a year. His case highlights the complex legal and personal turmoil many mobilized Russians have faced since the invasion began.
Combat Experience and Capture
In May 2025, Alexei signed a contract and returned to the Zaporizhzhia direction. His combat experience reached a critical point when he came under fire, was wounded, and captured by Ukrainian forces. During his seven months in a prisoner-of-war camp, his weight changed dramatically from 43 kg to 63 kg. In captivity, he receives regular meals and medical care, and has taken up weaving furniture, such as sofas and chairs.
Alexei now waits for a prisoner exchange, hoping for a chance to return home. He recounts:
"My comrades fled, and I was left alone."Other prisoners share similar stories of isolation. One soldier named Ilya found his mother indifferent during a call. Another, a former electrician, said he got lost and ended up in the war; his mother and sister refused to speak with him. These men's stories underscore the profound human dramas unfolding within the larger conflict.
The ordeal of Alexei Biloborodov and his fellow captives illustrates not only personal tragedy but the wider consequences of a war now in its second year. While POWs often face harsh conditions, they can also receive support and medical aid that alters their physical and psychological state. The wait for an exchange becomes their hope for a return to normal life, though the uncertainty remains a heavy burden for the many families awaiting their loved ones.