Putin's Prisoner: My Time as a Prisoner of War in Ukraine

by Aiden Aslin, John Sweeney

Aiden Aslin joined the Ukrainian marines in 2018, compelled to defend his adopted homeland from the growing threat of Russian invasion. In February 2022, as Russia mounted a full-scale offensive, Aiden and his unit were stationed at the frontline at Mariupol.

Pinned down at a Mariupol steelworks, after a month-long siege and running out of supplies, Aiden was part of the mass surrender of over a thousand Ukrainian troops, in April 2022. Then his real ordeal began.

Singled out for his British passport, Aiden was interrogated, tortured, stabbed, turned into a propaganda zombie, tried by a kangaroo court and then sentenced to death. A victim of a catalogue of abuses of international law, Aiden struggled to cling on to any hope of survival. Certain that he was going to be executed, he was eventually freed in a prisoner exchange and permitted to return home.

In Putin's Prisoner, Aiden will tell the full, harrowing story of his time fighting in Putin's war, of his six months in Russian captivity, and of his hardened resolve to defend the freedoms of the people of Ukraine.

Genres: Ukraine, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, History, Politics

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 20, 2023

Reviews

[Aaron Guzzwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a difficult read. I followed Aiden on Instagram well before his capture. I remember reading about how he joined Kurdish fighters in Syria and fought against ISIS, and how he joined the Ukrainian Marines in 2018 before the Russian invasion in 2022. I remember actively following him up until the day he stopped posting, and thought of him often as the war dragged on.

Reading the first hand account of the physical and psychological torture that he endured was heartbreaking and disturbing. He may be considered fortunate as he was released while thousands of others remain on captivity, or have been murdered.

His story is not a 'one of', rather it is the reality of what the Russian state deems as an acceptable way to treat human beings and should serve as a reminder of why it is important to continue to support Ukraine in their fight for their survival as a free and democratic nation. 5 stars.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esu neabejinga tai kas dabar vyksta Ukrainoje, todėl man patiko ši knyga, sukrečianti istorija. Knygą skaičiau su nerimu, jauduliu ir susižavėjimu. Labiausiai sužavėjo Aidenas kaip jis kovojo dėl Ukrainos, ir pateko į Rusų nelaisvę.

[Mindaugas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a soldier’s account of what it was like spending time as prisoner of war in russian captivity. It’s a sad and scary tale. Aside from serving as a document of war crimes, it also gives some good insights into how the russian propaganda machine works, the absurdity of the DPR puppet state and the often incomprehensible stupidity of its minions.

Aiden is showing honesty and humility throughout the book. He doesn’t consider himself a hero, openly speaks about the fear that he felt and how his actions were influenced by it. He doesn’t hide his anger towards his torturers but he also talks about small moments of humanity that sometimes shone through the dark clouds of brutality and misery, like a prison guard offering him a cigarette or reassuring him that his execution will not be carried out. The line between good and evil runs through every man’s heart. But then the grim reality comes back quickly and he is beaten again by the guards, forced to spew out russian propaganda to the cameras and even forced to suffer phychological torture by western traitors who now serve their new puppet master in the Kremlin.

At the end of the day, the book reaffirms the fact that it’s crystal clear which side is at the wrong side of history and gives hope that life will eventually play out as it always does - with the fall of tyranny and the victory of humanity, freedom and civilisation.

Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

[mimi ☕️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this changed me, i am sitting in shock on my bed on a monday night. this man deserves everything

[Coffee & books · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read. He talks about how he was used for propaganda as a result of being tortured, he talks about his life before Ukraine and in Ukraine. I think it is an important book to read, to understand better what is happening in Ukraine, as it was seen by someone who was not born there.

[Jacob Stelling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really powerful account of life as a prisoner of war in Russia, which really captures the horrendous nature of the Russian regime.

[jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a first hand account from Aiden, a soldier in the Ukrainian military about the horrors that happened to him, his colleagues and Ukraine right now! heartbreaking to read

[Phats · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its an interesting read and sad in many ways regarding what happened and what is currently happening in the Ukraine and Russia right now, humans can be terrible and yet it still always surprises me just how bad humans can truly be. For me the style of writing was a bit stunted so it was not a book that I would devour in one sitting but that's a personal opinion. There was however times were I thought I would have liked to know more about something that was happening or certain people in the book, it just would have been nicer if there was more detail in certain places basically but nerveless a good read.

[Nestor Ivanovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book although be warned, pretty harrowing at times.

[Tania · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt a huge pity for this man, but being Ukrainian and on the receiving end of the propaganda he helped to create I find it very difficult to forgive him.

[Matty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mad bit horrid sometime bro

[Brandon Hirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The war didn’t start on 2/24/22, that much Aiden makes clear. Really interesting perspective and harrowing account.

[Siddharrth Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aiden Aslin of a British nationality, joined the Ukrainian Marines to defend his adopted homeland in Ukraine from being seized by the Russians. But during the battle, his unit went out-powered and had to surrender to the opponent, that began his ordeal as a Putin’s Prisoner.

The book is a tell-all account of the atrocities compounded by the vicious Russians on the countless Prisoners of War. From committing copious war crimes to breaking all the possible rules, the ‘Bolsheviks’ were at their brutal best.

That Aiden Aslin was a foreign national and was used as a pawn to be exchanged with another Putin’s friend, is only to be read and savoured. I quote and end:

“Captivity is scary. Before battle, you think about what might happen to you. For us, it is more terrible to be captured than to die a quick death. Especially when you are captured by the Russians.”

📚

[Reda Marozienė · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pasakojimas apie britų kario išgyvenimus rusų nelaisvėje. Kadangi jau teko daug skaityti apie rusų karių elgesį su Ukrainos žmonėmis, tai šis pasakojimas taip labai nesukrėtė. Kitoks poveikis gali būti pirmą kartą skaitant apie karo žiaurumus. Pradžioje buvo nesuprantama, kodėl jis iš viso įsivėlė į karinius konfliktus ne savo šalyje, kai net nebuvo kariškis. Smagu bent jau dėl to, kad ši istorija baigėsi laimingai ir jis buvo išlaisvintas ir grįžo pas šeimą. Tikiuosi, kad ši knyga bus kada nors papildyta Ukrainai laimėjus karą ir įvykus teismui Hagoje.

[Steve G**** · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful book and an emotive read. It would be very easy to sit in the comfort of one’s armchair and run through the ‘shudders’…he shoulda done this, or shoulda done that!

The fact is, we were not there and he dealt with it the best way he saw fit to survive.

One thing it highlights very well is the weaponisation of information via social media..,sobering stuff

[Hof Manas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lengvai skaitosi, tačiai gan paviršutiniška ir ne taip įtraukia į istpriją kaip kitos panašaus pobūdžio. Bendrai patiko, buvo verta susipažinti su užkulisiais tiek Sirijos, tiwk Ukrainos karo.
Rekomenduoju dėl savo trumpos apimties, greitumo ir lengvo skaitymo.

[Cody Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. 3.5/5

[Matt Whitby · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting tale, though not very well written. Probably a three and a half star.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read.

[Chris Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional

[Paul Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, not just about his time as a prisoner but historical background too.

[Nah Nope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been following Aiden for many years. While he isn't the best writer, it is still an incredibly interesting and shocking read.