Martin Kuz

To stay human Tortured for over 1,000 days in a Russian prison, a former Marine shares his story of anguish, survival and guarding the light within

Early in the war, Ivan led a Marine scout team across enemy lines in the city of Mariupol in southern Ukraine. Russian troops captured the four men and transferred them by plane to a prison west of Moscow. As the aircraft landed, a Russian soldier offered a grim salutation: “Welcome to hell.”

To stay human Tortured for over 1,000 days in a Russian prison, a former Marine shares his story of anguish, survival and guarding the light within

Early in the war, Ivan led a Marine scout team across enemy lines in the city of Mariupol in southern Ukraine. Russian troops captured the four men and transferred them by plane to a prison west of Moscow. As the aircraft landed, a Russian soldier offered a grim salutation: “Welcome to hell.”

To stay human Tortured for over 1,000 days in a Russian prison, a former Marine shares his story of anguish, survival and guarding the light inside

The guards moved with unhurried menace as the sounds of torment carried up the corridor: the low buzz of Tasers, the heavy thud of truncheons, the sharp slap of fists.

‘You see your life disappearing’ As civilians forced to flee their homes confront the unknown, aid workers who evacuate them channel their fury at Russia into empathy for Ukrainians

Valentyna described long months of struggling with “drone trauma.” The incessant nighttime buzzing and frequent explosions had burdened her with anxiety, migraines and insomnia that antidepressants and sedatives failed to alleviate.

Killing the messengers Putin and other autocrats believe that oppressing journalists will suppress the truth. It is a belief at once malicious and mistaken.

"Viktoriia’s body was missing the brain, eyes and a segment of the trachea.

"Forensic analysis later revealed burn marks consistent with electric shocks and a fractured rib. The hyoid bone in her neck was broken, an injury that can occur during strangulation."

‘You see your life disappearing’ As civilians forced to flee their homes confront the unknown, aid workers who evacuate them channel their fury at Russia into empathy for Ukrainians

The war's onset drew Eduard Skyork into the evacuation work he now considers his mission. Three years later, he continues to channel his fury at the Russians into compassion for his fellow Ukrainians. “Anger is another enemy—it will hurt your health,” he said. “I use that energy for empathy.”

If he is, he disguises it well because he betrayed no trace of it.

‘You see your life disappearing’ As civilians forced to flee their homes confront the unknown, aid workers who evacuate them channel their fury at Russia into empathy for Ukrainians

The war's onset drew Eduard Skyork into the evacuation work he now considers his mission. Three years later, he continues to channel his fury at the Russians into compassion for his fellow Ukrainians. “Anger is another enemy—it will hurt your health,” he said. “I use that energy for empathy.”

‘You see your life disappearing’ As civilians forced to flee their homes confront the unknown, aid workers who evacuate them channel their fury at Russia into empathy for Ukrainians

Three years ago, responding to an evacuation request in Bakhmut, Eduard Skyork began guiding a 70-year-old man down an apartment building stairwell. A moment passed before grandson and grandfather recognized one another. “I saw you in a dream,” Volodymyr told him. “I knew you would come.”

‘You see your life disappearing’ As civilians forced to flee their homes confront the unknown, aid workers who evacuate them channel their fury at Russia into empathy for Ukrainians

Three years ago, responding to an evacuation request in Bakhmut, Eduard Skyork began guiding a 70-year-old man down an apartment building stairwell. A moment passed before grandson and grandfather recognized one another. “I saw you in a dream,” Volodymyr told him. “I knew you would come.”

Broken forever War severed my late father's family in Ukraine more than 80 years ago. So many in his homeland now share the same pain.

A burial ceremony for three fallen soldiers had ended some time earlier. Their loved ones walked in silence down the hill. Now as 80 years ago, when war descended on Vasyl and Anna Kuz, so many families across Ukraine know that pain. So many families know they have been broken forever.

Broken forever War severed my late father's family in Ukraine more than 80 years ago. So many in his homeland now share the same pain.

A burial ceremony for three fallen soldiers had ended some time earlier. Their loved ones walked in silence down the hill. Now as 80 years ago, when war descended on Vasyl and Anna Kuz, so many families across Ukraine know that pain. So many families know they have been broken forever.

Reaching toward the light In eastern Ukraine, the country’s natural beauty and creative spirit remain visible amid the war’s devastation

To move through cities and villages in eastern Ukraine near the front line is to experience constant internal whiplash. Town by town, mile by mile, the country’s natural beauty and creative spirit collide with the widening destruction and darkness of Russia’s war.

Reaching toward the light In eastern Ukraine, the country’s natural beauty and creative spirit remain visible amid the war’s devastation

To move through cities and villages in eastern Ukraine near the front line is to experience constant internal whiplash. Town by town, mile by mile, the country’s natural beauty and creative spirit collide with the widening destruction and darkness of Russia’s war.

Never a day without war Born earlier in Russia’s invasion, Anhelina Halych died before she could know peace

Every time Trump cozies up to Putin, know that he's groveling for the approval of a man who's systematically targeting apartment buildings where the only enemy combatants are young moms and two-year-olds.

Never a day without war Born earlier in Russia’s invasion, Anhelina Halych died before she could know peace

"As the missile fell, did they know? Did they tremble? Did they hold each other tight? Or did they sleep, adrift below the surface, unaware of their last moment, their last breath?"

A photo essay from the site where more than 20 people died in last week's devastating air attack on Kyiv.

Never a day without war Born earlier in Russia’s invasion, Anhelina Halych died before she could know peace

"As the missile fell, did they know? Did they tremble? Did they hold each other tight? Or did they sleep, adrift below the surface, unaware of their last moment, their last breath?"

A photo essay from the site where more than 20 people died in last week's devastating air attack on Kyiv.

'I feel the emptiness everywhere' Russia denies targeting civilians. One year after losing his entire family in a missile attack, Yaroslav Bazylevych attests to the depth of that lie.

Yaroslav had yet to step out of the flat when a ballistic missile slammed into the building. The staircase collapsed. His entire family was gone.

Incomplete independence For families of missing, captive and fallen soldiers, Independence Day magnifies the absence of loved ones

This Aug. 24 marks the fourth wartime Independence Day for Ukraine, and earlier today in Kyiv, family members of missing, captive and fallen soldiers gathered to honor their loved ones. The somber mood reflected the reality that hundreds of thousands of families will never be made whole.

Incomplete independence For families of missing, captive and fallen soldiers, Independence Day magnifies the absence of loved ones

This Aug. 24 marks the fourth wartime Independence Day for Ukraine, and earlier today in Kyiv, family members of missing, captive and fallen soldiers gathered to honor their loved ones. The somber mood reflected the reality that hundreds of thousands of families will never be made whole.

'I feel the emptiness everywhere' Russia denies targeting civilians. One year after losing his entire family in a missile attack, Yaroslav Bazylevych attests to the depth of that lie.

No concept of justice can remedy the suffering of a husband and father who has lost his family in one grievous, everlasting instant. So I wondered what Yaroslav felt should happen to those who killed his wife and children and to Russia as a whole for its untold crimes against Ukraine.

'I feel the emptiness everywhere' Russia denies targeting civilians. One year after losing his entire family in a missile attack, Yaroslav Bazylevych attests to the depth of that lie.

No concept of justice can remedy the suffering of a husband and father who has lost his family in one grievous, everlasting instant. So I wondered what Yaroslav felt should happen to those who killed his wife and children and to Russia as a whole for its untold crimes against Ukraine.

Q&A with International Correspondent William Langewiesche - Sactown Magazine Whether William Langewiesche is writing at his Davis home or reporting in Kosovo, the globe-trotting Vanity Fair scribe and two-time National Magazine Award winner keeps his feet on the ground.

Magazine journalism recently lost one of its best after cancer claimed William Langewiesche. I interviewed him in '08, and the article is newly available online. I later got to know him a bit, and along with the scope, force and clarity of his writing, I'll always admire his curiosity and humility.

Q&A with International Correspondent William Langewiesche - Sactown Magazine Whether William Langewiesche is writing at his Davis home or reporting in Kosovo, the globe-trotting Vanity Fair scribe and two-time National Magazine Award winner keeps his feet on the ground.

Magazine journalism recently lost one of its best after cancer claimed William Langewiesche. I interviewed him in '08, and the article is newly available online. I later got to know him a bit, and along with the scope, force and clarity of his writing, I'll always admire his curiosity and humility.

A bill too far Legislation to stifle anti-corruption efforts provoked doubts about the state of Ukraine’s democracy. The ensuing protests proved its grassroots strength.

"In a scene reminiscent of the Euromaidan, people flooded the streets, once again rebuking a president and asserting their desire to join the West. The spontaneous resistance to the anti-corruption bill provided another bracing example of a people unwilling to surrender their hard-won liberty."

A bill too far Legislation to stifle anti-corruption efforts provoked doubts about the state of Ukraine’s democracy. The ensuing protests proved its grassroots strength.

"In a scene reminiscent of the Euromaidan, people flooded the streets, once again rebuking a president and asserting their desire to join the West. The spontaneous resistance to the anti-corruption bill provided another bracing example of a people unwilling to surrender their hard-won liberty."

A bill too far Legislation to stifle anti-corruption efforts provoked doubts about the state of Ukraine’s democracy. The ensuing protests proved its grassroots strength.

The hero of Ukraine has a Trumpian streak that threatens to do in both him and the country.

A bill too far Legislation to stifle anti-corruption efforts provoked doubts about the state of Ukraine’s democracy. The ensuing protests proved its grassroots strength.

Many of the West’s older democracies are under siege from authoritarianism. The rallies in Kyiv and other cities showed that Ukrainians remain much more attuned and allergic to that potential threat. One nation in particular could learn much from them. Looking at you, America.

A bill too far Legislation to stifle anti-corruption efforts provoked doubts about the state of Ukraine’s democracy. The ensuing protests proved its grassroots strength.

Many of the West’s older democracies are under siege from authoritarianism. The rallies in Kyiv and other cities showed that Ukrainians remain much more attuned and allergic to that potential threat. One nation in particular could learn much from them. Looking at you, America.

What can we expect as fire season ramps up in California? Officials and scientists say the state has had a mild season thus far, but fires are expected to surge in drier months.

“We’ve had a number of small-to-medium-sized fires, but nothing too startling so far,” Max Moritz @ucanr.edu told @aljazeeraenglish.bsky.social

“And we’ve seen some factors that point to what could be a fairly severe fire season as we enter the drier months.” www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/...