Dad who moved family to Russia to flee ‘woke' West is sent to front line – as wife says he's been ‘thrown to the wolves'
PUTIN'S FODDER Dad who moved family to Russia to flee 'woke' West is sent to front line – as wife says he's been 'thrown to the wolves'
A TEXAN dad has been sent to the front line by Vladimir Putin after he moved his young family to Russia to escape "woke" America.
Derek Huffman, 46, has been "thrown to the wolves" by the deranged Russian wartime regime with his family now reportedly begging the US government to save him.
Advertisement
5
Texan Derek Huffman, 46, has been sent to the front line by Vladimir Putin after moving his family to Russia
Credit: YouTube/@HuffmanTime
5
Derek with his young family in Moscow
Credit: YouTube/@HuffmanTime
5
Derek's wife DeAnna says her partner has been 'thrown to the wolves'
Credit: YouTube/@HuffmanTime
Derek uprooted his home life and jetted off to the small town of Istra, just 25 miles from Moscow, alongside his wife, their three daughters and their husky earlier this year.
The Texan, along with wife DeAnna, decided to move to Russia after claiming the US education system had become too progressive.
The couple said the final straw was when their daughter Sophia was taught about the idea of being a lesbian at school.
A trip to Moscow in 2023 later convinced the family that Russia was the perfect place to bring up their children in a traditional society.
Advertisement
Derek applied via the 'shared values' visa scheme which attempts to attract foreigners who reject "destructive neoliberal ideologies" Putin claims are pushed by the West.
The family made the move and expected to start their dream lives.
But Derek soon found himself in trouble after he agreed to join the Russian military in a non-combat capacity.
He believed he would be given a role such as a welder or a war correspondent due to his lack of experience as a soldier.
Advertisement
But DeAnna revealed in a vlog uploaded to the family's YouTube channel that her husband has now been drafted to "near" the front line as a fully fledged fighter.
The heartbroken wife says she fears for Derek's life as he doesn't speak any Russian and had only been given a limited amount of training.
How Putin is 'weaponising Westerners' by offering safe haven to Russia-obsessed crackpots including Brits
She said: "He feels like he's being thrown to the wolves right now, and he's kind of having to lean on faith, and that's what we're all doing."
Since being deployed to fight against Ukraine, Derek has only been able to speak to his loved ones on a handful of occasions.
Advertisement
His last message came in June, on Father's Day in the US, as he spoke to his family while wearing camouflage and military gear.
He held back tears as he said: "I miss you all more than you can imagine.
"I can't wait to see you, hopefully I get a vacation at some point and I get to go home and spend a couple of weeks with you.
"But man, you're on my mind 24/7 and just know that what I'm doing is important to me and important to our family.
Advertisement
"Just know I will do whatever it takes to be safe and to come home to you. Take care of each other."
In the months since, the family have only said he is "doing fine".
5
Derek speaks no Russian and was given very little combat training before being shipped out
Credit: YouTube/@HuffmanTime
5
Derek applied via the 'shared values' visa scheme which attempts to attract foreigners who reject 'destructive neoliberal ideologies' Putin claims are pushed by the West
Credit: AP
Advertisement
And amid the lack of information, a mystery Telegram group has been set up titled: "Save that little girls."
The group was shared by the family online but the link has been deleted since.
Created only on Sunday, the sole message from the account said: "We are asking the United States government to save this family."
It was shared along with a picture of DeAnna and her daughters crying in the street.
Advertisement
Derek happily signed up for the military when he first arrived as he wanted to show his appreciation for his new country by "risking his life".
Being alone in a new country, raising kids, and trying to stay strong has tested me in ways I never imagined
DeAnna Huffman
He claimed he wanted to "earn a place in Russia" without being given free handouts.
But DeAnna has since claimed her husband was seriously misled.
She said: "When he signed up and had all of that done, he was told he would not be training for two weeks and going straight to the front lines.
Advertisement
"But it seems as though he is getting one more week of training, closer to the front lines, and then they are going to put him on the front lines."
The terrified mom added: "It's been just a few months since our family made the big move from America to Russia.
"While we've had amazing adventures, this journey has also brought deep challenges.
"Being alone in a new country, raising kids, and trying to stay strong has tested me in ways I never imagined."
Advertisement
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
25 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Trump could meet Putin as soon as next week, White House official says
The official cautioned that a meeting has not been scheduled yet and no location has been determined. The official was not authorised to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss internal plans. The White House said Mr Trump was also open to a meeting with both Mr Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. A meeting between Mr Putin and Mr Trump would be their first since Mr Trump returned to office this year. It would be a significant milestone in the three-year-old war, though there is no promise such a meeting would lead to the end of the fighting since Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on their demands. News of a potential meeting with Mr Putin, which was first reported by The New York Times, came hours after Mr Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met Mr Putin in Moscow. Mr Trump had posted earlier on Truth Social that Mr Witkoff 'had a highly productive meeting' with Mr Putin in which 'great progress was made'. It was not immediately clear if Mr Putin or Mr Zelensky had agreed to any meetings with Mr Trump. Mr Zelensky has been willing to meet face-to-face with Mr Putin to end the conflict, but Russia has repeatedly rejected the idea. Mr Trump has met Mr Zelensky several times this year, including a contentious February meeting in Washington. Though he has not yet met Mr Putin this year, Mr Trump met with him five times during his first term. Mr Trump said earlier on Wednesday that he updated America's allies in Europe and that they will work toward an end to the Russia-Ukraine war 'in the days and weeks to come'. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: 'The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelensky.' Her statement did not address the potential timing of any meeting. Mr Witkoff met Mr Putin days before the White House's deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or potentially face severe economic penalties that could also hit countries buying its oil. The meeting between Mr Putin and Mr Witkoff lasted about three hours, the Kremlin said. Mr Putin's foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said Mr Putin and Mr Witkoff had a 'useful and constructive conversation' that focused on the Ukrainian crisis and, in a nod toward improving relations between Washington and Moscow, 'prospects for possible development of strategic co-operation' between the United States and Russia.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Global News Podcast Trump orders India tariff hike to 50% for buying Russian oil
US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order hitting India with an additional 25% tariff over its purchases of Russian oil. That raises the total tariff on Indian imports to the US to 50% - among the highest rates imposed by Washington. India has called the taxes unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. Also: Donald Trump says there's a good chance he will meet President Putin of Russia soon to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine, and Italy gives final approval for world's longest suspension bridge to Sicily. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Trump could meet Putin as soon as next week, White House official says
The official cautioned that a meeting has not been scheduled yet and no location has been determined. The official was not authorised to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss internal plans. The White House said Mr Trump was also open to a meeting with both Mr Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. A meeting between Mr Putin and Mr Trump would be their first since Mr Trump returned to office this year. It would be a significant milestone in the three-year-old war, though there is no promise such a meeting would lead to the end of the fighting since Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on their demands. News of a potential meeting with Mr Putin, which was first reported by The New York Times, came hours after Mr Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met Mr Putin in Moscow. Mr Trump had posted earlier on Truth Social that Mr Witkoff 'had a highly productive meeting' with Mr Putin in which 'great progress was made'. It was not immediately clear if Mr Putin or Mr Zelensky had agreed to any meetings with Mr Trump. Mr Zelensky has been willing to meet face-to-face with Mr Putin to end the conflict, but Russia has repeatedly rejected the idea. Mr Trump has met Mr Zelensky several times this year, including a contentious February meeting in Washington. Though he has not yet met Mr Putin this year, Mr Trump met with him five times during his first term. Mr Trump said earlier on Wednesday that he updated America's allies in Europe and that they will work toward an end to the Russia-Ukraine war 'in the days and weeks to come'. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: 'The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelensky.' Her statement did not address the potential timing of any meeting. Mr Witkoff met Mr Putin days before the White House's deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or potentially face severe economic penalties that could also hit countries buying its oil. The meeting between Mr Putin and Mr Witkoff lasted about three hours, the Kremlin said. Mr Putin's foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said Mr Putin and Mr Witkoff had a 'useful and constructive conversation' that focused on the Ukrainian crisis and, in a nod toward improving relations between Washington and Moscow, 'prospects for possible development of strategic co-operation' between the United States and Russia.
