A forty-year-old prisoner (S 854) serving a ten-year sentence in a Soviet forced labor camp after falsely confessing to high treason. Despite suffering from a mild illness and freezing temperatures, he maintains a strong work ethic. He finds practical contentment in his masonry skills and his daily acts of survival. He is resourceful and deeply loyal to his family back home, refusing to burden them by asking for parcels.

The stern and highly capable squad leader of the 104th. A former decorated soldier in the Soviet Army, he was expelled and imprisoned after superiors discovered his father was a wealthy peasant. He protects his squad by manipulating work reports and bribing officials to secure better rations and assignments.

The deputy squad leader of the 104th. He assists Tiurin in managing the squad, taking on lower-level leadership tasks. He distributes extra food rations fairly and leads the men into the dining hall during the chaotic meal times.

A relatively new prisoner in the 104th and a former naval captain. He struggles to adapt to the submissive life of an inmate, maintaining a fierce, stubborn pride. His willingness to talk back to the guards and complain about un-Communist behavior frequently places him in danger.

The lowest-ranking member of the 104th squad. Lazy and self-serving, he begs for scraps of food and scavenges cigarette butts. His lack of dignity and poor work ethic earn him the scorn of his fellow prisoners, who expect he will not survive his sentence.

A teenage Ukrainian prisoner in the 104th who was imprisoned for bringing milk to rebels. Eager, cunning, and energetic, he is adept at preserving his own food and navigating the harsh camp environment.

A young filmmaker and privileged member of the 104th. He works a comfortable office job and receives abundant food parcels from home. Despite his special status, he freely shares his supplies with his squadmates and repays those who perform favors for him.

A quiet, humble prisoner in the 104th who is deaf in one ear. He survived a German concentration camp only to be imprisoned by the Soviets. He displays remarkable loyalty and refuses to leave his squadmates behind, even at the risk of severe punishment from the guards.

A devout Baptist prisoner who shares a bunk with Shukhov. He maintains a positive outlook through deep religious faith, believing that imprisonment gives him the opportunity to focus on his spiritual life rather than worldly freedoms.

A skilled Latvian mason serving a twenty-five-year sentence in the 104th. He frequently partners with Shukhov on work assignments, and the two share a mutual professional respect. He is resourceful and secretly hides building materials like roofing felt to aid the squad later.

A member of the 104th who is widely suspected of acting as an informant for the guards. He avoids hard labor by reporting on his fellow prisoners in exchange for being allowed to remain in the barracks on sick call.

A fellow convict who acts as a foreman over the construction site. Arrogant and power-hungry, he enjoys better living conditions and mistreats the laborers, though he cowardly backs down when confronted by strong squad leaders.

A prisoner assigned as the mess hall orderly. Granted authority due to a disability, he abuses his power by violently striking the weaker prisoners to maintain order at the dining hall entrance.

The cruel security chief of the camp. He inspires fear in both prisoners and guards alike, ordering particularly savage searches and handing out harsh punishments for minor infractions.

A medical assistant working at the camp dispensary. He spends his time writing poetry rather than treating the sick, strictly enforcing the camp's daily quota on excusing prisoners from work.

A camp guard who catches Shukhov staying in bed late. Though he threatens Shukhov with solitary confinement, he ultimately assigns him the relatively mild punishment of scrubbing the guardroom floor.

One of two Estonian prisoners in the 104th who are practically inseparable. He and his countryman share everything, speak quietly together, and demonstrate the sustaining power of human connection.

A prisoner in another squad who conducts a small business selling tobacco to the other inmates. He measures out his product carefully into small glasses.

An elderly, dignified prisoner from the 64th squad serving back-to-back terms. Despite years of harsh labor, he maintains a hardened resilience and refuses to abandon his fastidious manners during meals.

A camp guard who comes to the 104th's barracks at the end of the day to escort prisoners to the freezing guardhouse cells.