American family moved to Russia seeking ‘Christian values’ and found themselves drawn into the war in Ukraine
Two years ago, Derek and DeAnna Huffman decided they’d had enough of life in Humble, a suburb of Houston. They felt their three daughters were being “indoctrinated” by schools and media promoting LGBTQ rights, and believed America no longer offered white conservatives the same opportunities as others.
Seeking a place that shared their “Christian values,” the Huffmans moved to a newly developed community for English-speaking expatriates outside Moscow — the first American family to join a project run by Tim Kirby, a former U.S. journalist who once worked for Russian state media. They’re part of a small but growing number of Americans who say they’ve fled a “woke” United States for what they see as a more traditional society.
The Russian government has openly welcomed these so-called “ideological immigrants.” Last year, President Vladimir Putin signed an order granting temporary residence to foreigners rejecting what he called “destructive neoliberal ideologies.” According to Russia’s Main Directorate for Migration Affairs, about 1,500 people have applied, including 127 Americans.
“President Putin is an amazing leader,” Derek Huffman, 45, said in a March video on the family’s YouTube channel. “It’s nothing like you see on the news.” He added that X, formerly Twitter, was “the only place” for “real information” about America’s decline.
The Huffmans found online supporters who helped fund their move, with donations from their 15,000 YouTube subscribers. But when Derek enlisted in the Russian army in May, hoping to fast-track citizenship and “earn respect” in their new country, the family became a lightning rod for controversy.
His wife, DeAnna, later told followers that Derek had been “thrown to the wolves.” She said he expected to use his welding skills in a repair unit but was instead sent to the front lines, unable to understand Russian training commands. Rumors swirled online that he had been killed, fueled by pro-Ukrainian accounts and unverified drone footage claims.
In late October, Derek reappeared in new videos, celebrating his daughter’s birthday and receiving his Russian passport. “I’m happy I’m still alive,” he said, thanking locals for helping his family during his six-month deployment.
The Huffmans aren’t the only American family making such a move. Leo and Chantelle Hare left Abilene, Texas, for Ivanovo, Russia, to protect their three sons from what they view as the “harmful” moral direction of the U.S.
“It was the promise of a country that wouldn’t promote the LGBT agenda,” said Leo Hare, 62. “We liked that LGBT is basically outlawed here.” Russia’s strict laws banning the “promotion of nontraditional sexual relationships” effectively erase LGBTQ visibility from public life.
Chantelle, 53, said they got their news from far-right commentators Alex Jones and Mike Adams and lost faith in U.S. politics after the 2020 election. “When we left, it was final,” she said. “There will not be anything to come back to.”
But their new life wasn’t easy. Their rental in Moscow fell through, forcing them to spend the winter on a farm south of the city, caring for livestock in exchange for housing — even bringing goats indoors to keep them alive through the freezing temperatures.
They later lost $50,000 after investing with their landlord’s son in what he claimed was a car import business. The family says police and local courts ignored their complaints.
Their three sons, ages 17, 15, and 12, have struggled to adjust. They can’t attend Russian public school without passing a language exam, so the Hares now homeschool and tutor English for income. Despite the setbacks, they say they’re “living comfortably” in their new apartment and have made friends.
Leo admits they “assumed a lot” about life in Russia. “But we have faith in Christ, and He’s leading us, even though we’ve made mistakes,” he said.