Texas dad who fled ‘woke’ US to Russia battles inUkrainewar
Derek Huffman, who moved to Russia to escape ‘woke’ US, faces Ukraine front line with minimal training. Family fears for his safety as Russia’s tactics draw scrutiny. Public reaction mixed, with no updates since June 2025. Amoir Sam : Pexels

Derek Huffman, a 46-year-old Texan father who relocated his family to Russia to escape woke ideology, has been unexpectedly sent to the frontlines of the war against Ukraine, despite assurances of a non-combat role in the Russian military.

Huffman moved his wife, DeAnna, and their three daughters, along with their husky, to Istra near Moscow under Russia's Shared Values visa scheme, designed to attract foreigners who reject neoliberal ideology.

His deployment has occurred with minimal training and limited Russian language skills, raising serious concerns about his prospects for battlefield survival.

Escape to Russia and Military Promises

Huffman, disillusioned with what he called America's progressive indoctrination, particularly after his daughter Sophia was exposed to discussions about lesbianism at school, joined Russia's shared values programme, designed to attract foreigners rejecting neoliberal ideology.

‘Anti-woke’ American who fled to Russia sent to the front lines

As per GB News, he told 'Russia Today' on 15 March 2025, 'The final straw was when Sophia learnt about lesbians from a classmate. That was enough to realise something had to change.'

Initially promised non-combat roles as a welder or war correspondent, Huffman joined the Russian military to secure citizenship.

However, his wife, DeAnna, revealed that he was sent 'near' the Ukrainian frontline after only basic training in Russian, which he barely understands. She stated, 'Derek feels he's being thrown to the wolves.'

X posts from @The_RussiaWatch highlight the shock, noting, 'He fled 'WOKE AMERICA' for Russia—now this Texas dad is being shipped to the Ukraine front line with no training.'

Family's Fear and Russian Strategy

DeAnna, in a since-deleted YouTube video, described her husband's deployment as a betrayal, saying, 'He's had no military experience and hasn't been paid for a month.'

The family last heard from him on Father's Day (15 June), via a video where Huffman, in camouflage, told his daughters, 'I miss you all more than you can imagine. What I'm doing is important for our family.'

The Huffmans' move was part of a small exodus, with only two families, including theirs, joining a programme led by American blogger Tim Kirby to escape Western cultural values.

Russia's recruitment of foreigners reflects a strategy to bolster forces amid casualties and injuries, even as the Kremlin's recruitment tactics have drawn scrutiny for exploiting immigrants.

Public Reaction and Uncertain Future

Huffman's plight has sparked mixed reactions. Some X users, like @pj9728 on 19 July, called it a consequence of his choices, stating, 'Stupid people! FAFO ... Anti-woke Texas father sent to the front lines.'

Others sympathise with his family, left in fear in Istra. Russian state media, including RIA Novosti, claimed on 21 July that Huffman's case demonstrates the West's moral decay, framing his deployment as a defence of traditional values.

With no updates since June, Huffman's survival in the Ukraine conflict remains uncertain, leaving his family anxious about his fate and Russia's promises.