Resilience Behind Bars: Andrei Pivovarov's Journey

Andrei Pivovarov, a Russian opposition politician, endured over three years in prison, much of it in complete isolation, by mentally marking milestones and cherishing a bookmark made from his wife’s letter. Freed in a historic East-West prisoner swap, he now navigates a new life in Germany alongside his wife, Tatyana Usmanova.

Andrei Pivovarov knows there are roughly 1,000 hours in 42 days. Calculating in his head and marking milestones in his sentence helped the Russian opposition politician survive over three years in isolation.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Pivovarov said he created reasons to celebrate, even treasuring a bookmark made from his wife's letter. Freed in an East-West prisoner swap on August 1, he's now adapting to life in Germany with his wife, Tatyana Usmanova.

Pivovarov, 42, was the longest-held dissident among those released by Russia. His sudden transfer to Germany from a northern Russian prison came with mixed emotions but he is now finding hope and gearing up to continue his opposition activities against the Kremlin.

(With inputs from agencies.)