Kiev Post: “Derek Huffman, an American man from Texas, moved his wife DeAnna and three children to Russia in search of “traditional values”, but the father of three is now being sent to the front lines in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine after assurances that he would have a non-combat role.
The family moved to Russia in 2025 to be a part of Tim Kirby’s “American Village” project. Kirby is an American media personality who has been living in Russia since 2006 and supports Putin.
In May, Derek, who has no military experience, joined the Russian military, being promised work as a welder, but was sent to the front after just weeks of training….
Derek was originally promised a job as a war correspondent, then as a mechanic in a repair battalion because of his experience as a welder.
Instead, his unit of foreigners is reportedly being trained, hastily, in Russian, for frontline combat.
“Unfortunately, he feels like he is being thrown to the wolves right now, and he is kind of having to lean on faith.”
The family solicited prayers and is petitioning unspecified public figures to have Derek reassigned.
His wife DeAnna also reported that Derek and the others in his unit were forced to “donate” 10,000 rubles for their own “supplies,” which took a substantial part of his paycheck.
His wife reported that she has not received any pay or bonus after one month.”