Retribution: A US Marine's Fight for Justice, from the Russian Gulag to Ukraine's Front Lines

by Trevor Reed, Jim DeFelice

The gritty memoir of a former US Marine and Presidential Guard, who, after being unjustly held and abused in a Russian gulag for three years and freed in a high-profile prisoner exchange, seeks revenge against his former Russian captors by volunteering to fight in Ukraine.

In August 2019, Trevor Reed, a former US Marine and Presidential Guard, was arrested in Russia on false, trumped-up charges. For three years, he was imprisoned in the infamous Russian gulag, where the inhumane treatment threatened his health so severely his parents and the U.S. government feared for his life. After losing roughly fifty pounds from his already trim body, he was released in a 2022 prisoner swap that dominated headlines.

Most people would go home, try to move on with their lives, and forget the horrors they endured. But not Trevor Reed.

Reed trained relentlessly to regain his health and strength, aiming to volunteer in Ukraine to fight the Russians and seek revenge. Having faced Russian cruelty up close, he knew what the Ukrainians were experiencing, and he knew he could help them. Just six months after being released from prison, Reed smuggled himself into Ukraine. He fought in one of the hottest fronts of the war . . . until one dark night a comrade stepped on a land mine. Reed almost lost his leg and his life, barely making it home to Texas alive.

A harrowing, on-the-ground account of the war in Ukraine, Retribution is the story of one man’s dogged persistence and commitment to justice, regardless of the personal cost.

Genres: Nonfiction

368 pages, Hardcover

Published January 27, 2026

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retribution: A U.S. Marine’s Fight for Justice by Trevor Reed is at once a dark comedy, an unassuming love story, a tragedy, and ultimately a triumph. It is a seriously fun yet terribly raw account; a story of corruption, rebellion, and hope, told without self-pity. The audiobook, in particular, elevates the experience, capturing Reed’s personality and defiance in a way that adds real weight to the journey. In truth, I felt almost guilty at how thoroughly I enjoyed this book despite the gravity of his suffering. His so-called “immature” and defiant attitude only makes him more lovable and admirable, injecting a sharp, comedic voice into even the most grueling, unjust, and difficult moments. Reed offers an unfiltered, inside look at a man who pays an unjust price for crimes he did not commit, and refused to bend the knee.

[Jennifer Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (2.5 rounded up)

Thanks to the publisher and authors for allowing me to read Retribution before release and provide my honest feedback. This review has spoilers.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. I generally enjoy reading military and historical nonfiction, so I expected this to be right up my alley. However, it didn’t land the way I hoped.

The premise led me to believe Trevor Reed was arrested in Russia while serving in the military, but that isn’t the case. At the time of his arrest, he had already completed his service as a Marine, done some contract work in Afghanistan, and was studying in college. While visiting his girlfriend in Russia, he got blackout drunk and was detained by police. He was later accused of assaulting two officers — charges he denies, though he admits he doesn’t remember what happened.

While I don’t believe he actually assaulted anyone, I still struggled with his decision-making. Why get blackout drunk in a foreign country, especially one like Russia? What followed — his imprisonment and the inhumane conditions he endured — was horrific and unjust, but at the same time, some of the hardships were made worse by his own choices. He refused to work in the labor camp and frequently went on hunger strikes. Did he deserve nine years in a Russian prison? Absolutely not. But he also didn’t make things any easier for himself.

Reed spends a lot of time recounting stories from other inmates to highlight the corruption of the Russian judicial system. While this is effective at first, it quickly becomes repetitive and bogs down the narrative.

I also found myself frustrated by how he treated his parents throughout his ordeal. He often yelled at his dad and pushed his family away, even though they were the ones tirelessly fighting for his release. While he may have done this to protect them from potential legal risk, his behavior often came across as selfish and ungrateful. That impression only deepened when, after his release and return home, he announced his decision to go fight in Ukraine. It’s hard to imagine the pain that caused his family after everything they did to get him home.

The book is about two-thirds focused on his time in Russian prisons and one-third on his experience in Ukraine. By the time I reached the final section, I found myself disconnected and frustrated with Reed’s choices. His tone became increasingly self-righteous and less reflective, making it difficult to empathize with him. The final chapters — filled with historical background and his search for a unit to join — felt drawn-out and less engaging.

Ultimately, Retribution is a unique story told by someone who has lived through unimaginable circumstances, but I struggled to connect with Reed’s perspective and choices. It’s a compelling account of survival, but one that left me more frustrated than inspired.

Rating: 2.5 stars (rounded up to 3)

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting true story about a young man who joins the Marines and describes his time in boot camp and then his assignment afterwards working at the White House and Camp David. Later, he would leave and begin working for a private security firm. While with them and overseas, he began a relationship with a Russian woman, and he would later travel to Russia to see her and her family during his time off. One night, he ended up getting drunk, which led to his being arrested, and then he began a totally different journey. For three years, he would be in their prison, fighting, trying to be released, and he describes his journey and his parents' fights with the government as well. Finally, Biden and some others agree to a trade, and he is released. This is a very interesting story, and I do feel he was truthful in what he wrote about. He would also go and fight with the Ukrainians during their war until he and the men he was fighting with were all wounded and needed to be evacuated. All in all, a very telling book, and how he wanted to get back at the Russian government and fighting against them was his only way. Very much worth the read.

[Loree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written in a manner that is easy to understand. The author does a great job telling his story starting with his days as a marine, his time in prison in Russia, the process of getting him home and then going to fight in the Ukraine.

[Teri Fink · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look into a soldier's life and emotions. And at the horror of Russian prisons and the Ukraine war.

[Vmndetta ᛑᛗᛛ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I didn't know if I should round the rating up or down for this book (I decided to round it down here lol). But wow, I wouldn't have even known something this fucked up ever happened if I hadn't picked up this book. It was a very tense and gripping reading experience. But there were a few things I didn't like, such as some decisions making that I personally would never choose because I like to play it safe lol ykwim. Still, it was very interesting overall, and it made me want to keep turning the pages.

[Deanna Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! A first hand account of Trevor’s military service, his travels to Russia to meet his girlfriend’s family, and his unlawful imprisonment by the Russian government. He takes you through his captivity and the immense joke that is the Russian judicial system. He details his family’s tireless efforts working with US Government officials to negotiate his release in a prisoner swap. Upon his release, Trevor honestly expresses his anger and resentment of the Russian government and his inability to sit by and watch the Ukrainian people be victimized by Vladimir Putin. He details his operations as part of the Ukrainian forces fighting against Russia and his desire for retribution for all he has suffered at the hands of the Russian government. Trevor tells his story casually, as if he was sitting in front of you over a cup of coffee.This book is a must read!!!