After 37 months in captivity, Mariupol defender Ivan Borysov underwent comprehensive rehabilitation provided by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation and Heart of Azovstal

Twenty-two-year-old Mariupol defender Ivan Borysov completed a rehabilitation course at the ADONIS medical center as part of the “Health” program implemented by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation in partnership with the NGO Heart of Azovstal.

Ivan lost his parents at an early age and from a young age was forced to build his life on his own. At the age of 18, he signed a military service contract. After the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he was in Mariupol, where he found himself amid active fighting and was wounded.

“My face and neck were shredded. My arm was broken - an open fracture. Something also hit my leg. The main thing that saved me was the groin protector on my body armor. Because of my facial injuries, they called me Wolverine,” Ivan says.

On May 17, the Mariupol defender went into russian captivity. He remained there for seven months. Captivity further worsened his health condition. russian soldiers beat him and held him in extremely harsh conditions.

In October 2025, Ivan was exchanged and returned to Ukraine. After his release, he needed comprehensive recovery, so he joined the “Health” program, which provides medical and psychological rehabilitation for Mariupol defenders who survived captivity and combat injuries, as well as for their families.

“The Foundation helps us pick up the pieces - with the hospital, legal issues, and housing assistance. I want to express my deep gratitude to Rinat Akhmetov because he allocated substantial funds and did not leave us alone in trouble,” Ivan says.

Ivan is only at the beginning of his recovery journey, as he still requires long-term treatment. But he is already making plans for the future and admits that after fully recovering, he intends to return to service and defend Ukraine again.

“To be honest, I’m more inclined to return to military service again. But I was told: don’t rush yet, wait, live a little. That’s what I’m trying to do now,” the defender says.