An American family moved to Russia in pursuit of 'traditional values' and found themselves embroiled in a war with Ukraine.

Over the past year, approximately 1500 "ideological immigrants," including 127 Americans, have applied for temporary residence in Russia. They seek to move there because they don't share the liberal values ​​of the Western world, writes NBC News.

Two years ago, Derek and Deanna Huffman desperately wanted to leave the Houston suburb of Humble. They believed their three daughters were being brainwashed in public school and the media to uphold LGBT rights. They believed American culture no longer offered white people the same opportunities as people of color.

The couple dreamed of living in a place where their "Christian values" were shared and where "they would not be discriminated against" as white conservative Christians.

On the subject: Russia has no intention of ending the war in Ukraine: US intelligence agencies conclude

In March, the Huffmans became the first family to move into a community designed for English-speaking immigrants approximately 40 kilometers west of Moscow. The project was led by longtime American expatriate and former anchor of the Kremlin-controlled television channel RT, Tim Kirby. The Huffmans are part of a small but growing group of Americans who have moved to Russia because they believe the United States has become too "woke."

(Woke culture is a social and cultural movement aimed at recognizing and countering various forms of injustice and discrimination, including racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of inequality. The term "woke" (from the English "awake") originally denoted a heightened sensitivity to social issues and a desire for justice. Over time, the concept has become broader and more politicized: its proponents advocate for inclusivity, respect for differences, and a reconsideration of established norms, while critics accuse the movement of excessive moralization, intolerance of dissent, and attempts to impose ideological standards of behavior and speech. – Note.)

The Russian authorities welcome such "refugees of the culture wars." In 2024, Vladimir Putin signed a decree granting temporary residence to foreigners who wish to move to Russia out of rejection of the "destructive neoliberal ideological attitudes" of their countries.

About 1500 such "ideological immigrants," including 127 Americans, have applied for temporary residence, the Main Directorate for Migration Issues reported.

"President Putin is an outstanding leader, he's done a lot of good for Russia," Derek Huffman, 45, said in a video on his family's YouTube channel on March 9. "It's not at all like what you see on the news." He claimed the only place to get "real information" about America's problems is on social media.

The family found like-minded people on social media—both Russian and Western users—who supported their move. After arriving in Russia, they received donations from some of their 15,000 YouTube subscribers. But when Derek Huffman volunteered for the Russian army in May, the family found themselves at the center of online attention and criticism.

Huffman said he joined the military to expedite citizenship for his family and to show support for his new homeland.

"Besides citizenship and money, for me it's primarily a question of respect and a well-deserved place here in Russia," he explained on the family's YouTube channel on May 26.

However, in June, 42-year-old DeAnna Huffman posted (and then deleted) a video in which she said her husband had been "left to be devoured." NBC News reviewed a reupload of the video.

According to her, the family hoped Derek would be assigned to a maintenance battalion, where he could put his welding experience to good use, but instead he was sent to the front. He struggled with the training, which was conducted in Russian.

Pro-Ukrainian commentators on social media claimed Huffman was dead and circulated a report claiming to have drone footage. The video garnered over 2 million views, but NBC News was unable to confirm the authenticity of the footage, and DeAnna Huffman denied reports of her husband's death.

Derek reappeared in a YouTube video on October 25, celebrating his daughter's birthday and signing documents to obtain a Russian passport.

In one video filmed in their area, Derek announced he was "on leave" after six months of service and thanked his wife for keeping the family together while he was away.

"I'm glad to be alive, to be doing everything I can to survive and be useful to Russia. I'm very grateful to all the Russians who helped my family while I was gone," he said.

Another family, the Hairs, moved to Russia from Abilene, Texas, to protect their three sons from the "harmful aspects" of American culture.

"We were attracted by the promise of a country that doesn't promote the LGBT agenda. We liked the fact that it's effectively officially banned here," 62-year-old Leo Heyer explained to NBC News via video link from their new home in Ivanovo.

Russia has strict laws against "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations," which in practice prohibit public expression of LGBT identity, including wearing or posting the rainbow flag on social media.

His wife, 53-year-old Chantelle Hare, said in a video on their YouTube channel that in the US, she and her husband preferred to get their news from Alex Jones and Mike Adams, far-right commentators and conspiracy theorists. After the 2020 election, they became completely disillusioned with American politics and don't believe Donald Trump's return will change the country enough to make them want to return.

"When we left, it was final. We're not going back. There'll be nowhere to go back to," Chantelle Hare admitted.

The family encountered difficulties while trying to establish a new life in Russia. Their initial plan to rent an apartment in Moscow fell through on the day of their departure, and they were forced to spend the harsh winter on a farm 100 kilometers south of Moscow. They cared for chickens, horses, and rabbits in exchange for shelter. At one point, they had to bring the goats and their newborn kids indoors to prevent them from freezing to death.

When the farm owner offered to invest their $50,000 in his son's "car business" at a favorable interest rate, Leo Hare thought their problems were solved. But they only received one payment, after which the man stopped sending money and refused to return the investment.

The couple filed complaints of fraud, went to the police and to the local court, but, according to them, received no help.

Their sons, ages 17, 15, and 12, are having difficulty adapting to life in Russia, and the two eldest want to return to the United States. They feel isolated and frustrated by their inability to attend school, as Russian public schools require a language exam to enter.

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Leo and Chantel, who previously owned a carpet cleaning business and a mobile cafe in the US, now work as English tutors. They rented an apartment in Ivanovo, northeast of Moscow, and, they say, "live quite comfortably now." Their children are homeschooled. Leo Hare admitted that had they known about the language requirement in advance, "it might have been a deciding factor" against moving.

The Hare family does not know the Huffmans.

Leo Hare says he never considered joining the military because of his age and the dangers involved. He believes Derek Huffman "expected too much" from serving in the Russian army.

"We also expected more," he concluded. "But we believe in Christ, and He leads us, even if we make mistakes."

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