After moving to Ukraine from Russia, Sergei and Tatyana Voronkov became informants for Ukraine following Russia's invasion. Their journey involved espionage against Russian forces, a brutal interrogation after Sergei's capture, and a complicated escape that ultimately led them to seek asylum in Lithuania, where the Ukrainian army has recognized their contributions.**
From Disillusionment to Defiance: The Russian Couple Who Became Ukrainian Informants**
From Disillusionment to Defiance: The Russian Couple Who Became Ukrainian Informants**
Sergei and Tatyana Voronkov, a Russian couple disillusioned with their country, turned informants for Ukraine amidst rising tensions, leading to harrowing experiences, detention, and eventual escape to Lithuania.**
Sergei and Tatyana Voronkov’s life took a dramatic turn after their move from Russia to Ukraine. Disenchanted with the political situation in Russia, they sought peaceful lives in Ukraine, only to face turmoil when Russia invaded in 2022. Their newfound tranquility was shattered, prompting Tatyana to reach out to Ukrainian security services as informants.
“When the first rockets flew over our home, I knew I had to act,” Tatyana recalled, recounting the fateful moment that steered their lives down a perilous path. Through a secret Telegram channel, they provided crucial intelligence about Russian military positions that they observed. “We didn’t see it as treason; we were just fighting evil,” she explained.
Their efforts continued until April 2024, when Sergei was detained during a routine grocery run. Subjected to harsh interrogation methods, including being confined in a cold pit, he was coerced into a confession about his and Tatyana’s activities. Meanwhile, Tatyana frantically searched for her husband while enduring threats to their safety back home.
After a harrowing 37 days, Sergei was unexpectedly released, but their ordeal was far from over. Fearing they were being surveilled, the couple decided to escape. With the help of their neighbors, they sold their belongings and returned to Russia to secure Sergei's documentation. Their journey took a twisted route involving a fake passport and a daring border crossing into Lithuania.
Now living in a shelter for asylum seekers, they are eager to build a new life while grappling with the repercussions of their actions, including estrangement from their family in Russia. “We will never return, not until there’s humanity back in Russia,” Sergei asserted, embodying their resolve for a peaceful future away from oppression. Their indomitable spirit is acknowledged by the Ukrainian army, who sent them a letter of commendation for their bravery and intelligence-gathering efforts.
