The family of a Texas man who moved to Russia to escape liberal indoctrination says he has been “fed to the wolves” after being sent to the frontlines in Ukraine.
Derek Huffman, 46, relocated to Moscow in search of “traditional values” and joined the Russian military to gain citizenship, having been assured he would not be placed in a combat role.
The Huffmans settled in a village outside Moscow founded by American blogger Tim Kirby, which markets itself to Western families looking to reject “liberal gender norms” and avoid liberal indoctrination of American society.
Although Huffman was initially promised work as a war correspondent or vehicle mechanic, he has instead received rushed combat training and is now being deployed to the frontlines of the war with Ukraine.
Derek Huffman, an American dad who moved his family to Russia to escape LGBT “indoctrination,” has been drafted into front-line military service in Ukraine despite expecting a non-combat role as a welder.
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“He feels like he is being thrown to the wolves right now, and he is kind of having to lean on faith,” his wife DeAnna said.
“Derek was told he would not be training for two weeks and going straight to the front lines.”
“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.”
An American Dad Joined the Russian Army: The Real Reason
Did you know an American village has emerged near Moscow? The first settlers are the Huffman family: Derek, Deanna, their three cheerful daughters, and a Siberian Husky with multicolored eyes.
“America was just going… pic.twitter.com/39rCk9CJ3y
— Russian Road (@RussianRoad_) July 4, 2025
In a video recorded last month, Derek Huffman explained that he was drawn to enlist in the Russian military both by a generous sign-up bonus and a desire to demonstrate his loyalty to his adopted homeland.
“I don’t want anyone in Russia saying we don’t belong here,” he said. “If I risk my life defending this country—our new country—I’ll have earned our place.”
The Huffmans relocated under Russia’s recently introduced “Shared Values” visa initiative, which offers residency to foreigners who express disillusionment with their home governments and share the Kremlin’s moral and ideological stance.
Since their move, the family has shared their journey online and relied on crowdfunding to support themselves.
Sadly, the family’s romanticized expectations of life in Russia and military service quickly collided with harsh reality.
Derek and his fellow recruits were ordered to hand over 10,000 roubles to cover the cost of their own equipment.
Meanwhile, DeAnna has said that aside from the initial month, her husband has received neither his promised salary nor the signing bonus.
DeAnna and Derek Huffman and their 2 kids moved from Texas to Russia in 2022. They were motivated by “concerns over LGBT indoctrination in American schools, unhealthy food, and a desire for a safer environment that is aligned with our Christian values”.
Derek decided to join… pic.twitter.com/VCJv3IfisR
— usurp tha chef (@usurpthachef) June 23, 2025
