Derek Huffman, a 46-year-old American who moved to Russia with his family to shield his children from “LGBTQ+ indoctrination,” has been sent to the front lines against Ukraine. Despite being assured he would serve in a non-combat role, Huffman is now feeling abandoned, with his wife, DeAnna, saying he has been thrown into a situation that could endanger his life.
DeAnna explained that her husband has no prior military experience, and his training was conducted in Russian, a language he barely understands. “When you’re taught in a different language, and you don’t understand the language, how are you really getting taught?” she said in a video plea, which has since been deleted from her YouTube channel.
Huffman joined the Russian military in the hope of expediting his family’s citizenship process. He also believed that serving would help him “earn” the respect of his new country. “Unlike migrants in America who come just like that, do not assimilate, and want free handouts, I want to prove I belong here,” he told Russian state media last month.
DeAnna, 42, suggested that her husband was misled during the recruitment process. She claimed that after a month of service, her family had not yet received any pay. “When he signed up, he was told he would not be training for two weeks and going straight to the front lines,” she said. “But now it seems like he’s getting one more week of training, closer to the front lines, and then they’re going to put him on the front lines.”
Huffman and his family moved to a rural village outside Moscow this spring, part of a project launched by American blogger Tim Kirby, who has lived in Russia for over 20 years. The project aimed to attract Americans looking to escape “liberal gender norms.” However, as reported by United24Media, only two families, including the Huffmans, have moved there so far.
Huffman, originally from Texas, moved with his wife, three daughters, and their family Husky, “Baby.” The couple has three sons from previous marriages who opted to remain in the United States. Last month, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the couple honeymooned in Moscow. “The city charmed us with its rich history, vibrant culture, and welcoming atmosphere,” DeAnna told the outlet. “We truly felt a connection when we saw Moscow in person.”
DeAnna said that her husband’s decision to join the Russian military, despite it being in its third year of bloody conflict with Ukraine, did not surprise her. “He has always spoken highly of the country, its president, and its people, and he has a strong passion for doing the right thing.”
