'Thrown to the wolves': American moves family to Russia to 'escape wokeness' — finds himself at the frontline fighting Ukraine war
An American man who left US in search of traditional values has ended up on the front lines of Russia's war in Ukraine.
Derek Huffman moved with his wife and three daughters from Texas to a village outside Moscow earlier this year, reports New York Post.
Huffman hoped to raise his family away from what he described as the 'wokeness' and 'LGBTQ indoctrination' of the US education system.
However, he now finds himself near the front lines, despite initially being promised a non-combat role. Huffman had joined the Russian military to secure fast-tracked citizenship.
Huffman's wife, DeAnna, said in a YouTube video that he was misled during the recruitment process. The video is now deleted from social media.
'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,' she said. She added that he had no military experience and was trained in Russian, which he barely understands.
'Unfortunately, when you're taught in a different language, and you don't understand the language, how are you really getting taught? You're not,' she said.
The family had moved to Istra, about 25 miles from Moscow, under Russia's 'shared values' visa scheme.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
15 most beautiful women in the world
Topgentlemen.com
Undo
The family was among only two known to have relocated to the so-called 'American village,' a settlement created by US expat and blogger Tim Kirby to attract Westerners tired of liberal norms.
What was the final straw that made the Huffmans leave US?
Their decision to move followed an incident at their daughter's school in the US. 'The final straw was when we found out my daughter Sophia learnt about lesbians from a girl in her class. She didn't fully understand it, but for us, that was enough to realise something had to change,' Huffman was quoted as saying by Russia Today.
The family was later featured in several Russian state-affiliated media outlets, where Huffman said he wanted to earn respect through military service. 'The point of this act for me is to earn a place here in Russia. If I risk myself for our new country, no one will say that I am not a part of it. Unlike migrants in America who come there just like that, do not assimilate, and at the same time want free handouts,' he said.
Despite these intentions, DeAnna now claims that her husband was offered roles such as a welder or war correspondent but was instead rushed through training and sent to the battlefield.
She also said the family has yet to receive any of the promised military wages.
Father's Day video message
In June, Huffman appeared in a Father's Day video message wearing camouflage. 'I miss you all more than you can imagine,' he told his family. 'Just know I will do whatever it takes to be safe and to come home to you. Take care of each other.'
A Telegram group titled 'Save that little girls' was recently linked to the family's deleted channel, calling on the US government to intervene.
'It's been just a few months since our family made the big move from America to Russia, and while we've had amazing adventures, this journey has also brought deep challenges,' DeAnna said. 'Being alone in a new country, raising kids, and trying to stay strong has tested me in ways I never imagined.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
16 minutes ago
- First Post
Russia launches monthly direct flights to North Korea amid growing ties
Russia has launched direct commercial flights to North Korea, signalling a further strengthening of relations between Moscow and Pyongyang. The first Moscow-Pyongyang service, operated by Nordwind Airlines, departed Sheremetyevo airport on Sunday and is expected to run once a month initially. read more People wait outside Terminal C at the Sheremetyevo international airport outside Moscow, Russia. File image/ Reuters Russia inaugurated direct commercial flights to North Korea on Sunday, signalling deeper links with its Asian ally that will aid its push in Ukraine. According to the Sheremetyevo airport's website, the first Moscow-Pyongyang flight operated by Russia's Nordwind Airlines took off at 16:25 GMT. It is slated to arrive in the North Korean capital around eight hours later. However, Russia's transport ministry stated that the route will only be serviced once a month at first. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tickets for Nordwind Airlines, which used to transport Russians to European vacation spots prior to the EU banning Russian flights, cost 45,000 rubles ($570). 'This is a historical event, strengthening the ties between our nations,' Oleg, a Nordwind employee managing the flight who did not want to give his full name, told AFP at the airport. More from World Ukrainian drone strikes force Kremlin to scale down Navy Day celebrations He also declined to say how many passengers were on board. 'For the first time in more than 70 years of diplomatic relations, we are launching direct flights between the capitals of our countries,' Russia's deputy transport minister Vladimir Poteshkin was quoted as saying by the ministry's Telegram account. Russia's state news agency TASS reported that the first return flight from Pyongyang to Moscow would take place on Tuesday. Russia and North Korea restored train links on June 17 after suspending them in 2020 during the Covid pandemic. The two countries have been forging closer military bonds in recent years, with Pyongyang supplying troops and weapons for Russia's military operations in Ukraine. They signed a mutual defence pact last year, when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea. North Korea confirmed for the first time in April that it had deployed a contingent of its soldiers to the frontline in Ukraine, alongside Russian troops.
News18
25 minutes ago
- News18
US, EU reach an across the board agreement on tariffs
Edinburgh(UK), Jul 27(AP) The United States and the European Union reached a tariff deal Sunday after a brief meeting between President Donald Trump and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. A White House deadline was days away for imposing punishing import taxes on the 27-member EU, which is America's leading global trading partner. 'It was a very interesting negotiation. I think it's going to be great for both parties," Trump said. The make-or-break talks were meant to head off trade penalties — and promised retaliation from Europe — that could have sent shock waves through economies around the globe. Trump and von der Leyen held private talks at one of Trump's golf courses in Scotland, then emerged a short time later saying they had reached an 'across the board" agreement. In remarks before the session, Trump pledged to change what he characterised as 'a very one-sided transaction, very unfair to the United States." 'I think the main sticking point is fairness," he said while also noting, 'We've had a hard time with trade with Europe, a very hard time." Von der Leyen had said the US and EU combined have the world's largest trade volume, encompassing hundreds of millions of people and trillions of dollars. Trump said the stakes involved meant of making a deal, 'We should give it a shot." Von der Leyen said Trump was 'known as a tough negotiator and dealmaker" which caused the president to interject with "but fair." She said that, if they are successful, 'I think it would be the biggest deal each of us has ever struck." For months, Trump has threatened most of the world with large tariffs in hopes of shrinking major US trade deficits with many key trading partners. More recently, he had hinted that any deal with the EU would have to 'buy down" the currently scheduled tariff rate of 30 per cent. The Republican president pointed to a recent US agreement with Japan that set tariff rates for many goods at 15 per cent and suggested the EU could agree to something similar. Asked if he would be willing to accept tariff rates lower than that, Trump said 'no." As for the threat of retaliation from the Europeans, he said: 'They'll do what they have to do." Their meeting came after Trump played golfed for the second straight day at his Turnberry course, this time with a group that included sons Eric and Donald Jr The president's five-day visit to Scotland is built around golf and promoting properties bearing his name. A small group of demonstrators at the course waved American flags and raised a sign criticizing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who plans his own Turnberry meeting with Trump on Monday. Other voices could be heard cheering and chanting 'Trump! Trump!" as he played nearby. On Tuesday, Trump will be in Aberdeen, in northeastern Scotland, where his family has another golf course and is opening a third next month. The president and his sons plan to help cut the ribbon on the new course. Joining von der Leyen were Maros Sefcovic, the EU's chief trade negotiator; Björn Seibert, the head of von der Leyen's Cabinet; Sabine Weyand, the commission's directorate-general for trade, and Tomas Baert, head of the trade and agriculture at the EU's delegation to the US. The deadline for the Trump administration to begin imposing tariffs has shifted in recent weeks but was now firm, the administration insisted. 'No extensions, no more grace periods. August 1, the tariffs are set, they'll go into place, Customs will start collecting the money and off we go," US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told 'Fox News Sunday." He added, however, that even after that 'people can still talk to President Trump. I mean, he's always willing to listen." Without an agreement, the EU said it was prepared to retaliate with tariffs on hundreds of American products, ranging from beef and auto parts to beer and Boeing airplanes. If Trump eventually made good on his threat of tariffs against Europe, it could meant that everything from French cheese and Italian leather goods to German electronics and Spanish pharmaceuticals would be more expensive in the United States. The US and Britain, meanwhile, announced a trade framework in May and a larger agreement last month during the Group of Seven meeting in Canada. Trump says that deal is concluded and that he and Starmer will discuss other matters — though the White House has suggested it still needs some polishing. (AP) RD RD view comments First Published: July 27, 2025, 23:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Memorial to honour Assam Movement martyrs nearing completion: Bora
1 2 3 4 Guwahati: The 'Swahid Smarak Kshetra and Udyan', a memorial dedicated to honour the martyrs of the 1979-1985 Assam agitation against Bangladeshi infiltration, is nearing completion in Guwahati, minister Atul Bora said on Sunday. Speaking to reporters about the ambitious Rs 100-crore project, Bora said, "The first phase of the proposed Swahid Smarak Kshetra has been completed at a cost of Rs 95 crore, with construction of the main statue building now finished.". He added the ground floor of the structure will house statues of 860 martyrs of the Assam Movement, which will be known as the "hall of fame." Bora further said the main statue building will be the sixth tallest in the world, a point of great pride for the state. "Over 800 people lost their lives during the movement and this memorial is our way of paying tribute to their sacrifice." The minister further said the second phase of the project will include the construction of an auditorium, with a seating capacity of 500 people, along with a gallery equipped for a light and sound show that can accommodate up to 1,000 people. This light and sound feature will narrate the story of the Assam Movement and its historical significance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain Knee pain | search ads Find Now Undo Taking to his social media, Bora detailed that the memorial will feature a 67.2-meter tower, busts of all martyrs, a light and sound show, a cycle track, a food court and more such features, which will be spread across 116 bighas (over 38 acres). "Today, after inspecting the site, I also participated in a review meeting to evaluate the latest progress and instructed the concerned authorities to complete all remaining construction work swiftly," Bora posted.
