MOSCOW — A Texas man who fled the United States claiming to escape “Joe Biden’s LGBT indoctrination” is now reportedly serving in the Russian military and has been deployed to Ukraine, according to social media posts and individuals close to the case.
Derek Huffman, an American citizen, made headlines after moving his family — including his wife and three daughters — to Russia. He later joined the Russian armed forces. In July, The Maltese Herald reported that Huffman had been killed in a drone strike on the front lines in Ukraine. That claim, however, has since been challenged by family members and associates.
The rumors of his death were false.
A YouTube account operated by Huffman’s wife, DeAnna, posted comments on July 23 and 24 denying the report and stating Huffman was “alive and well.” She confirmed he was serving in the Russian military at the time.
The U.S. State Department, when asked about the reports, said on July 25 it was aware of “unconfirmed media reports of a U.S. citizen killed in Ukraine” but had “nothing further to share at this time.”
