Latest news with #DerekHuffman
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Anti-Woke Dad Who Fled With Family to Russia Sent to War Zone
An American father who moved to Russia to avoid LGBTQ+ 'indoctrination' for his kids is being sent to the front line in Ukraine, despite being assured he would serve in a non-combat role. Derek Huffman, 46, feels he is being 'thrown to the wolves' after being told that his job in the military would be as a correspondent or as a welder, his wife, DeAnna, said in a recorded plea for prayers, which has since been removed from her YouTube page. Huffman has no prior military experience, DeAnna said, adding that his limited training was conducted in Russian. She suggested the language barrier has made her husband particularly unprepared for the horrors of combat. 'Unfortunately, when you're taught in a different language, and you don't understand the language, how are you really getting taught?' she pondered. 'You're not. So, unfortunately, 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.' Huffman joined the military in the hope of gaining Russian citizenship for his family through an expedited process. He also felt such service would allow him to 'earn' the respect of his new countrymen, which is something he once said migrants in the United States refuse to do. 'The point of this act for me is to earn a place here in Russia,' he told Russian state media last month. '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.' Undocumented migrants cannot join the U.S. military during peacetime. A program launched by former President George W. Bush allowed such immigrants to seek citizenship by serving in the military, but that pathway was shuttered during President Donald Trump's first term. DeAnna, 42, suggested her husband had been misled during the military recruiting process. She added that, after a month of service, her family had yet to receive any pay. '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,' she said. '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.' We're the Huffman family — Americans who moved to Russia 2 months ago! Derek (46) has a background in welding & construction, DeAnna (42) is a former teacher & floral designer, and we're raising our 3 daughters (12, 11 & 10) while embracing a whole new life, language, and culture — The Huffman Family (@HuffmanTime) May 21, 2025 Huffman moved his family to a village outside Moscow in spring. It was launched by American blogger Tim Kirby—who has lived in Russia for two decades—in 2023 to attract Americans seeking to escape the 'liberal gender norm.' That project has been a flop, with United24Media reporting that only two families, including the Huffmans, have moved in. Huffman, a native Texan, brought his wife, three daughters, and their family Husky, 'Baby,' with him to Russia. The couple also have three sons from prior marriages who opted to remain in the United States. Huffman's admiration for Russia runs deep. The Russian state-operated news agency RIA Novosti reported last month that the couple honeymooned in Moscow. 'The city charmed us with its rich history, vibrant culture, and welcoming atmosphere,' DeAnna told the outlet. 'Before that, we figured out whether moving to Russia would fit our family's needs and values. However, it wasn't until we saw Moscow in person that we truly felt a connection.' DeAnna said that she was not surprised that her husband wanted to volunteer for the Russian military, even as it is in its third year of a bloody war with Ukraine. Ukrainian officials estimated this week that more than 1 million Russian soldiers have died in the conflict, which continues to rage on despite President Trump's demands for peace. 'It didn't come as a surprise to me,' she said of his joining the military. 'He always spoke so highly of the country, its president, and its people, and he has a strong passion for doing the right thing.'
New York Post
4 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
American dad DUPED into fighting on Russian frontlines after family fled US
An American dad has been duped into fighting on the front lines of Russia's army. Derek Huffman and his wife, DeAnna, moved their three daughters, ages 10, 11 and 12, across the globe to avoid 'woke ideology" in the US in March. He joined the Russian military in the hopes of expediting citizenship for his family. Despite being assured he would serve a non-combat role – either as a welder or a correspondent – his wife DeAnna claimed in a since-deleted YouTube video that he's being 'thrown to the wolves.' Here's everything we know about the 'anti-woke' family who fled the US to Russia – and the dangerous turn of events they didn't see coming.
International Business Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- International Business Times
Did Derek Huffman Die? American Man Ends in Ukraine War Zone After Fleeing from the US to Escape Woke America
An American man named Derek Huffman, 46, had ended up in the Ukraine war zone after fleeing from the US to escape woke America. The Texan father uprooted his wife DeAnna and three daughters to Russia early this year to escape the woke ideology. Huffman moved his family to a small town of Istra, near Moscow, claiming that the country had become overrun by ideology. Huffman allegedly took advantage of the Kremlin-backed visa programme that attracted westerners who were against liberal ideals. The American man described it as "a fresh start in a country that respects family values". But his dreams of leading a quiet life with the family members in Russia took a dramatic turn. The father of three has been reportedly sent to the frontlines of the Ukraine war zone to fight for Putin. The Texan father was initially promised a non-combat role and posted as a welder in the Russian military. He was then recruited as a war correspondent before sending him to an alarming war zone, according to his wife. She said her husband now finds himself close to the battlefield. DeAnna Huffman said her husband received limited military training in Russia and has been "thrown to the wolves". The Last Message Mr Huffman's family now awaits an update about him in fear since he had only minimal instructions before being deployed. She added that her husband is "leaning on faith" to survive. He had his last communication with the family on Father's Day in June when they received a video clip. The video featured him in full camouflage. "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. Just know I will do whatever it takes to be safe and to come home to you. Take care of each other," the Texan father said in the video clip. Though the family has not heard from him, they insist that he is doing fine. A YouTube channel, which has been deleted, directed its followers to a Telegram group titled Save the Little Girls. It is unclear who created this group, but it has an emotional photo featuring DeAnna and her three daughters crying in the streets. The image was accompanied by a plea - "We are asking the United States government to save this family". Derek Huffman with his wife and three daughters. X Reason to Flee America The family decided to flee the country due to his growing frustration from progressive teachings in schools. Mr Huffman said after moving from Arizona to Texas that he was horrified to know his daughter was expected to discuss lesbian relationships in school. He called that moment the final straw. The American man sealed the deal in 2023 during a scouting trip to Moscow. He and his wife claimed that they found the country safer, cleaner, and More in tune with their values. Upon reaching Russia, the family quickly settled into an expat commune, established by pro-Kremlin US blogger Tim Kirby. The community, known as the American Village, attracted two families to date, and the Huffmans are one of them. The Texan father was eager to prove his loyalty to Russia and insisted that he was not searching for handouts. "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," Daily Mail quoted Mr Huffman. However, his wife said that her husband was misled and will be put on the frontlines. "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. 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. Being alone in a new country, raising kids, and trying to stay strong has tested me in ways I never imagined," she shared.
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
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. 5 5 5 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. 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. 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. 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. "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 5 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. 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". 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. "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." How Putin is 'weaponizing Westerners' by offering safe haven to Russia TYRANT Putin has changed Russian immigration laws to tempt people to ditch the West and seek asylum in his country with "traditional values". He signed a decree to streamline the Russian immigration process - waiving off immigration quotas and the need for Russian language exams - for foreigners opposed to the Western idea of democracy. The dictator recently passed a law allowing foreign nationals who fight in his meatgrinder war in Ukraine to seek fast-track citizenship in Russia - along with their entire family. Moscow has said that many families in the West, including Brits, are answering Vladimir Putin's call to move to Russia. Reports by the Russian embassy in London claim at least at least 34 people have requested to move to Russia from the UK after Putin signed the decree on August 19. Those who applied have not had to prove they can speak Russian or have any knowledge of the 'history and fundamentals of Russian legislation", The Telegraph reports. Putin's new tactic has already paved the way for American citizen Leo Lionel, his wife Chantel Felice Haer and their three children, aged 16, 14, and 11. Lionel said: "Personally I want to thank your President Putin for allowing Russia to become a good place for families in this world climate. "We intend to use this opportunity to benefit our family. I feel like I've been put in an arch of safety. And it's very important." Canadian passport holder Arend Feinstra with his wife also left their country and moved to Russia with their eight children. He said of his move: "We didn't feel safe with our children there and for the future." The grandson of the French war hero Charles de Gaulle last year said he wanted Russian citizenship because the country offered "great possibilities".
Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Father who fled US for Russia reportedly deployed to front line
A Texan father who uprooted his family to Russia in a bid to escape 'woke America' has reportedly been sent to the front lines of the brutal war in Ukraine to fight for Putin. Derek Huffman (pictured), 46, moved with his wife DeAnna, their three daughters and the family husky to the small town of Istra, near Moscow, earlier this year after claiming the US had become overrun by 'woke ideology'. The family took advantage of a Kremlin-backed visa programme aimed at attracting Westerners who reject liberal ideals - something Mr Huffman called 'a fresh start in a country that respects family vaules'. But the American expat's dream of a quieter life in Russia has taken a dramatic turn. Initially promised a non-combat role in the Russian military - first as a welder, then a war correspondent - Mr Huffman now finds himself alarmingly close to the battlefield, according to his wife. DeAnna Huffman said her husband felt he was being 'thrown to the wolves' given that he had only received a limited amount of training, and that it was in Russian. She added that her husband, who only had minimal instruction before being deployed, is 'leaning on faith' to survive, as the family awaits news in fear. The last message they received from him came on Father's Day in June. In a video clip, Mr Huffman appears in full camouflage, speaking directly to his children. 'I miss you all more than you can imagine,' he said. '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. Just know I will do whatever it takes to be safe and to come home to you. Take care of each other.' Since then, there's been silence. The family insists he is 'doing fine', but a now-deleted link on their YouTube channel directed followers to a Telegram group titled Save that Little Girls where an emotional photo of DeAnna and her daughters crying in the street was posted alongside a plea - 'We are asking the United States government to save this family.' It remains unclear who created the group. The Huffmans' controversial decision to flee America came after growing frustration with progressive teachings in schools. After a move from Arizona to Texas, Mr Huffman said he was horrified when his daughter Sophia was expected to discuss lesbian relationships at school - a moment he called the 'final straw'. 'She didn't fully understand it, but for us, that was enough to realise something had to change,' Mr Huffman told Russia Today. A scouting trip to Moscow in 2023 sealed the deal. The couple claimed Russia felt cleaner, safer, and more in tune with their values. Upon arrival, they were quickly embraced by state-affiliated media and even settled into an expat commune known as the 'American Village', established by pro-Kremlin US blogger Tim Kirby. But now, DeAnna says he was misled. '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,' she said. '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.' It comes after Russia's wartime toll of dead and wounded reached a historic milestone last month. According to the British Ministry of Defence, more than one million Russian troops have been killed or injured since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February 2022. The estimate aligns with a recent study by the US-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies, which puts Russian military deaths at up to 250,000 and total casualties, including the wounded, at over 950,000.
