Defectors: The Voronkovs' Journey from Treason to Testimony in Ukraine

Sergei and Tatyana Voronkov left Russia due to disillusionment with the regime, only to find themselves in occupied Ukraine as informants against their former country. Their tale reveals the complexities of loyalty, survival, and the deep divides in Russian families over the war.

Sergei and Tatyana Voronkov were disenchanted with modern Russia long before they relocated to Ukraine, indoctrinated with the feeling that their ideals failed to align with the rising authoritarianism in their homeland. After Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014, they deemed their home unlivable and settled in Novolyubymivka, Ukraine, to cultivate animals and dreams of a peaceful existence. However, the tranquility was disrupted in February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, sending missiles flying over their new sanctuary.

Tatyana vividly remembers the moment their lives changed. The chaos prompted the couple to become informants for Ukraine, believing they were contributing to a noble cause rather than betraying their homeland. Using encrypted communications, Sergei gathered intelligence on Russian military operations and Tatyana relayed the details, unsure of the magnitude of their impact but resolute in their mission against what they perceived as evil.

The couple's active engagement with Ukraine's defense forces took a dark turn when Sergei was apprehended by armed men in April 2024. Held captive in dire conditions, he faced brutal interrogations designed to elicit confessions of his actions against Russia. Desperate to save his own life, he confessed on camera, unsure if this would make him a target or if he would ever see freedom again.

Against all odds, Sergei was released after 37 harrowing days. The еvent left the couple with lingering fears of surveillance, prompting their attempt to escape Russia altogether. With the aid of friends and family, they crafted a plan to flee while disguised in a feigned trip to the beach. The couple's journey involved navigating through bureaucratic barriers and crossing borders with forged documents, ultimately arriving in Lithuania, where they faced legal hurdles once more.

Now living in a shelter for asylum seekers, the Voronkovs have garnered support from the Ukrainian military, which offered them acknowledgment for their sacrifices. Yet their actions came at a personal cost, fracturing familial bonds back in Russia. Their son severed ties upon learning of their decisions, rendering a bittersweet narrative of bravery coupled with loss.

Despite their new challenges, the Voronkovs affirm that there is no turning back to a Russia they no longer recognize, hoping for a more humane future if the regime ever changes.