Sergei and Tatyana Voronkov knew they had to act when they were caught in the turmoil of war. After moving from Russia to Ukraine following the annexation of Crimea in 2014, their idyllic life in Novolyubymivka shattered under the sound of rockets following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The couple, who had long criticized Vladimir Putin’s regime, decided to inform on the very forces they had left behind.
Tatyana's decision to act materialized on one tense day when a Russian military convoy passed their home. She reached out to a contact in Kyiv, who linked her to a Telegram chatbot. From there, Sergei and Tatyana began to relay vital military information, providing details on Russian troop movements, missile systems, and electronic warfare equipment. They viewed their actions not as betrayal but as a crucial battle against malevolence.
Their covert operations came to a jarring halt when Sergei was detained in April 2024 while shopping for gardening supplies. He faced torture and threats during his four-day interrogation, ultimately confessing to the charges brought against him. Tatyana fought frantically to locate him but witnessed the ensuing chaos unfold, including a search of their home by Russian security forces, who discovered money they had hidden.
Upon Sergei's unexpected release after 37 days, the couple felt the weight of surveillance pressing down on them. Seeking refuge and fearing for their safety, they plotted their escape to Lithuania. The couple cleverly devised a cover story to re-enter Russia, ultimately using a fake passport to leave. After some difficulties, they managed to cross the border into Lithuania, where they currently reside in an asylum shelter.
Despite their bravery and the risks they took, their actions have caused familial rifts. Their son, residing in Russia, ceased communication upon learning of his parents' clandestine operations, while Sergei’s aging mother remains loyal to the regime. Yet, the Voronkovs remain unwavering in their decision to not return to Russia. Sergei states emphatically, "Only if it starts showing some humanity," highlighting their hopes for a life free from tyranny and oppression.
