From 103 to 46 kg: A Ukrainian Marine's 3.5 Years in Captivity and 80 Books Read

The Story of Vladyslav Zhurzha

According to Главком: Marine Vladyslav Zhurzha, known by the call sign 'Malysh' (Kid), endured over three and a half years as a Russian prisoner of war. He was captured in 2022 during the defense of Mariupol and was finally freed on June 9, 2025, as part of a prisoner exchange for military personnel under the age of 25. His captivity involved torture and severe weight loss, but he found a crucial mental lifeline in reading. The war in Ukraine has seen thousands of soldiers captured, with their stories of survival highlighting both brutality and resilience.

A 24-year-old marine from the Vinnytsia region, Vladyslav Zhurzha signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine in June 2021, serving as a grenade launcher operator in the 36th Separate Marine Brigade. He was stationed near Mariupol when Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. His unit later retreated into Mariupol itself, holding positions at the Azovmash plant before he was ultimately taken prisoner near the village of Myrne.

Conditions of Captivity

During his imprisonment, Vladyslav was held in various locations, including a hangar in Sartana, a penal colony in Olenivka, and facilities in Taganrog, Stary Oskol, and Tula. He was severely beaten before being thrown into a cell. 'Before they tossed me in the cell, they gave me 33 blows from the left side to the right,' he recalls.

A scar on his leg from an electric shock remained; the wound festered for two years and only fully healed in August 2025.

Captors forced prisoners to endure prolonged physical stress and forbade them from speaking. Standing 195 cm tall (6'5"), Vladyslav's weight plummeted from 103 kg to a mere 46 kg. 'Given my clear diction, I was the one who read books aloud in our cell. I read 53 books out loud... Later they gave us more books, and then everyone could read to themselves. In total, I read 80 books,' he stated.

While his release was a significant event, Vladyslav now requires rehabilitation and has been assigned a third-degree disability. 'They changed us into normal clothes, gave me winter boots, and threw us into a prison van... We traveled for almost a day, fed only with crackers and water,' he said of the transport following the exchange.

Although he cannot currently return to military service, he continues to support the morale of his comrades. 'How can you stand aside when there is a war going on in your country?' Vladyslav asks.

The liberation of Vladyslav Zhurzha underscores the critical importance of prisoner exchanges in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. His harrowing ordeal reflects the dire conditions faced by captured Ukrainian soldiers and their extraordinary resilience. His ongoing rehabilitation and continued support for his fellow soldiers demonstrate the enduring need to sustain morale and solidarity through the most difficult of times.