Disillusioned with the regime in Russia, Sergei and Tatyana Voronkov relocated to Ukraine, where their lives drastically changed with the 2022 invasion. Opting to inform Ukraine of Russian military positions, they faced interrogation and eventual escape to Lithuania, navigating the complexities of their actions and the fallout within their family.
Defectors of Dissent: A Russian Couple's Journey from Informants to Asylum Seekers in Ukraine
Defectors of Dissent: A Russian Couple's Journey from Informants to Asylum Seekers in Ukraine
Sergei and Tatyana Voronkov recount their risks and sacrifices as they transition from loyal citizens of Russia to informants aiding Ukraine, ultimately seeking asylum amidst family estrangement and a precarious existence.
Sergei and Tatyana Voronkov found themselves at a crossroads that led to their transformation from ordinary Russian citizens to pivotal informants for Ukraine. The couple, disenchanted with Vladimir Putin's regime, decided to leave Russia in 2014 after witnessing the annexation of Crimea—a bold step that would ultimately reshape their lives. They settled in Novolyubymivka, a tranquil village in southeastern Ukraine, with hopes of starting anew amid nature. However, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, their peaceful existence was shattered.
Tatyana vividly recalls the moment their life was disrupted by the sounds of war—Russian rockets flew uncomfortably close to their new home. The invasion compelled them to act, and they made a fateful decision to become informants for Ukraine, providing vital information on Russian military movements. "We didn't think of it as treason," Tatyana explained, emphasizing their belief that their actions were a necessary fight against evil.
The couple meticulously gathered intelligence as they navigated the risks of being in occupied territory. However, their operation took a perilous turn when Sergei was detained while shopping for seeds, enduring harsh interrogation at the hands of Russian security services. During 37 days of captivity, he was forced to confess to his involvement with Ukraine.
After his release under mysterious circumstances, the Voronkovs feared for their safety. They noticed suspicious surveillance and decided to escape to Lithuania. With help from neighbors, they devised an elaborate cover story and managed to cross into Russia to obtain a new passport, but the journey was fraught with challenges, including the use of a forged passport.
Upon arriving in Lithuania, Sergei faced legal repercussions for the fake document, but both he and Tatyana are now living in an asylum seeker shelter. Their decision to aid Ukraine has caused deep divisions within their family, further complicated by their son’s rejection and the continued support of Sergei's elderly mother for the Kremlin.
Despite the tumultuous fallout, the Voronkovs remain firm in their stance against returning to Russia—a decision rooted in their pursuit of humanity amidst the chaos of war. As they await the outcome of their asylum application, they reflect on their journey, grappling with the weight of their choices and the painful rifts it has caused within their family.
