Russian-Israeli Andrey Kozlov rescued by IDF from Gaza after 8 months in captivity
Kozlov, 27, moved to Israel from Russia about a year ago and worked as a security guard at the Supernova rave
After eight months of captivity, on June 8, 2024, the IDF announced it rescued Hamas hostage Andrey Kozlov from central Gaza. He is reportedly in good condition, according to initial medical assessments. Below are the first reports of his capture from the Supernova music festival near Re’im:
Prior to his rescue, Andrey Kozlov, 27, was last heard from at 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, when Hamas terrorists attacked near Kibbutz Re’im, the area of the desert rave where he was working as a security guard for the Supernova music festival.
Kozlov, a native of St. Petersburg, Russia, was in touch with his father at the time, texting him that he heard gunshots around him.
He also sent Whatsapp messages to his friends, telling them he had nowhere to hide as the gunmen swarmed the outdoor rave, killing some 350 people and taking dozens more hostage.
Kozlov, who is tall and has a beard, was wearing a black T-shirt and black Vans sneakers, said his friends.
He is a new immigrant to Israel, having moved here about a year and a half ago when he participated in the Masa internship program. He was very happy to be living in Israel, said his girlfriend, Jenifer Master.
Kozlov lived with friends in Rishon Lezion, outside Tel Aviv. He has no family in Israel, although his mother has been to Israel since Kozlov’s capture.
Kozlov’s family and friends were told three weeks after October 7 that Andrey was considered a hostage in Gaza.
