What began as a culture war escape plan has landed one American family squarely in the middle of an actual warzone.
Derek Huffman, a 46-year-old father of three from Texas, made headlines earlier this year when he relocated his family—wife DeAnna, their three daughters, and even the family husky—from the U.S. to Russia in search of what he described as “traditional values” and an escape from the supposed scourge of “woke ideology.”
They settled in Istra, a sleepy town near Moscow, as part of a Kremlin-backed initiative to attract Westerners disillusioned with liberalism. Russia, Mr. Huffman said at the time, was offering “a fresh start in a country that respects family values.” But that fresh start has taken a harrowing turn: Derek is now near the front lines of the war in Ukraine, serving in the Russian military.
Initially promised a non-combat position—first as a welder, then as a war correspondent—Derek has instead found himself dangerously close to active fighting, according to his wife. DeAnna says he received only minimal training, and in Russian, a language he barely understands.
“He feels like he’s being thrown to the wolves,” she said, adding that Derek is now relying solely on faith to survive the ordeal. His last message home came on Father’s Day in June—a short video of him in full camouflage, speaking softly to his children.
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