Andrii Varvarov

Date of disappearance: March 18, 2022

Place of disappearance: Nove village, Tokmak district, Zaporizhzhia region

Andrii Varvarov is a DJ, sound engineer, and author of electronic music. On the eve of Russia’s full-scale invasion, he planned to open an office in Mariupol, where he met the war. Unable to stand aside, he began helping friends evacuate from dangerous regions.

On March 18, 2022, Andrii and a friend set off toward Zaporizhzhia to help evacuate people to Berdiansk. However, they did not reach their destination. Their last known location was the village of Nove in Tokmak district. Later, Andriy’s car was seen with a Russian soldier at the wheel.

At the end of April 2022, the first confirmation that the man was alive appeared. The Russian Telegram channel “Identify a Khokhl by his forelock” published a photo of Varvarov, shaved, bald, emaciated, and with a black eye. In July of the same year, the Russian Federation officially confirmed his detention through the Red Cross. 

In August 2022, the family received a single letter from their husband. Andrii wrote that he was detained “until the circumstances are clarified” and that he was sad and wanted to go home. Later, the family found out that the man was held in Olenivka, where he was severely beaten. Sometimes, he was brought to his cell half alive.

In March 2025, the released prisoner said he had spent two years with Andrii in colony No. 9 in Borysoglebsk, Voronezh region. While in the first year of his detention, Andriy was severely beaten. Later, the abuse took on other forms: humiliating positions while being moved around the prison and forcing him to sing Russian songs. According to the former prisoner, Andrii’s physical condition is generally satisfactory.

He is currently in a colony in the Voronezh region. There is no official information about him, as Russia does not respond to inquiries. The family has not received any new letters from Andrii Varvarov since August 2022.

This publication was compiled with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation. It’s content is the exclusive responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the International Renaissance Foundation.