US man who moved to Russia over LGBT fears 'fed to wolves' as he's sent to the frontline

By Conor Wilson, News Reporter

Derek Huffman said he wanted to prove himself in his new country (Image: YouTube)

The family of an American man who moved to Russia to escape "LGBT indoctrination" says he has been "fed to the wolves" and deployed to the frontline. Derek Huffman, 46, from Texas moved to Moscow in the pursuit of "traditional values" and enlisted in the military in order to gain citizenship with assurances that he would not be deployed in a combat role.

The Huffmans moved to a village outside Moscow which was founded by American blogger Tim Kirby, which seeks to entice families seeking to escape the "liberal gender norm," and "avoid LGBTQ+ 'indoctrination'" it says is present in the US. After first being promised a role as a war correspondent and a vehicle mechanic, he has now been given hurried combat training ahead of a deployment to the frontline. His wife DeAnna said her husband "feels like he is being thrown to the wolves right now, and he is kind of having to lean on faith."

Derek's wife says that she has not received his first months pay (Image: Youtube)

She 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."

In a video filmed last month, Derek said that his motivation for joining the military stemmed from an attractive signing up bonus and his desire to prove his worth to his new country.

He said: "I don’t want anyone here in Russia to say that we don’t belong here, so if I go put my body on the line for Russia, I defend the country, our new country, I’ve earned our place here."

The Huffmans took advantage of Russia’s new "Shared Values" visa programme which allows foreigners who are disaffected with their governments to apply for residency if they align with the Kremlin’s moral and spiritual values.

The family have documented their move on social media and have crowdfunded their earnings since deciding to emigrate.

Derek is one of hundreds who have enlisted in the Russian army (Image: Getty)

The family’s idealised vision of life in Russia and enlistment in the Armed Forces was shattered by the reality.

Derek and his comrades were ordered to pay 10,000 roubles, a large portion of his monthly pay in order to pay for their own supplies.

DeAnna has also spoken of receiving no pay or bonus after the first month of her husband’s service.

Derek is not the first American to find that the Kremlin’s promises often go unfulfilled.

In April 2024, Michael Gloss, the 21-year-old son of a CIA executive, was killed fighting in Ukraine after growing disillusioned with the US and "the establishment".

Figures indicate that more than 500 foreigners from more than 25 countries have died fighting for Russia since the full-scale invasion in 2022.