Kirillo Alexandrov

Board of Advisors

Kirillo Alexandrov moved from Detroit, Michigan, to southern Ukraine to live with his family. He led a peaceful life as a farmer until the Russian invasion. Thousands of soldiers occupied his town, trapping Kirillo and his family behind enemy lines. Despite seeking assistance from the U.S. Department of State, his location rendered help impossible.

On April 2, 2022, Kirillo was arrested by Russian forces. Paraded as a war trophy, he was falsely accused of espionage. His only crime was being an American citizen. For thirty-seven days, Kirillo and his family endured unspeakable atrocities at the hands of Russian Intelligence. They were subjected to mock executions, beatings, and extreme acts of sadistic violence. Kirillo was unlawfully detained and charged with eleven counts of espionage. The Russians aimed to break his spirit and instill fear as a warning to others

Unknown to the Russians, Kirillo’s mother had contacted Bryan Stern for help. Already setting conditions for a daring rescue, Bryan mobilized a mission fueled by donor generosity and patriotism. This rescue highlighted the incredible achievements possible when Americans refuse to stand by as their fellow citizens suffer.

Bryan Stern and his team orchestrated a daring rescue mission. The mission humiliated the Russian forces. Their frustration led to an assassination attempt on Bryan, Kirillo, and his family. Bryan anticipated this scenario, and the plot failed, which was captured on video. This added to the legend and mystery of the mission, which remains an “unsolved crime” by the Russians. Within Russian intelligence circles, Bryan Stern is known as “Amerikanskiy volshebnik,” the “American magician,” for his ingenuity in outwitting a formidable security service.

After the failed assassination attempt, Bryan and his team raced with Kirillo from Russian-occupied Ukraine, through the Ukrainian warzone, to the safety of Poland. The perilous journey spanned over 20 hours by road. After 37 days of waiting and praying in Poland, Kirillo’s mother, Gloria, was reunited with her son, thanks to Bryan and his team.