Defectors for Justice: Russian Couple's Transformation into Ukrainian Informants

Disillusioned by the actions of their home country, Russian couple Sergei and Tatyana Voronkov relocated to Ukraine before being forced to become informants amidst the unfolding conflict. After facing significant peril, including detention and interrogation, they plotted an elaborate escape to Lithuania, while the ramifications of their choices strain familial ties back in Russia.

Sergei and Tatyana Voronkov had experienced growing disillusionment with the political climate in Russia long before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. This culminated in their decision to leave the country shortly after Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014. Originally from Russia, Tatyana returned to her birthplace in Ukraine, where they sought a peaceful life in a small village named Novolyubymivka. Here, they embraced a rural lifestyle complete with dogs and livestock, while Sergei applied his skills as a land surveyor.

However, the tranquility they sought was shattered by the immediate threat of war, prompting the couple to make the difficult decision to inform Ukrainian forces about Russian military movements. "We didn't think of it as treason," shared Tatyana, emphasizing their belief that they were fighting against evil rather than a nation.

Their covert operation involved sending critical information about Russian military assets they observed in their occupied village. This process was facilitated by covert communications with Ukrainian authorities via a Telegram chatbot, where Sergei collected coordinates while Tatyana managed secure message transmission, often wiping messages to avoid detection.

In April 2024, however, danger struck when Sergei was detained while shopping and subsequently tortured for information about his activities. Fearing for his life and those he cared about, he reluctantly confessed to aiding Ukraine while enduring severe conditions in captivity. After 37 days, he was unexpectedly released, though confusion lingered over the circumstances of his release, revealing the chaos of justice in occupied territories.

Post-release, the couple felt under threat of continued surveillance, prompting them to plan a dangerous escape to Lithuania. Facing multiple hurdles, including a fake passport acquisition and jurisdictional detentions, they finally crossed borders into Lithuania, where they now live in an asylum seeker shelter, aided by a letter of appreciation from the Ukrainian military.

Their actions as informants have strained family relationships back in Russia, with their son severing ties after learning of their defection. In stark contrast, Sergei's elderly mother remains an ardent supporter of the war. Reflecting on their journey, Sergei firmly stated return to Russia would only be considered under conditions of humanity—a standard that, as of now, he believes remains unmet.