A Canadian farmer who moved to Russia to escape “woke” ideology risks being sent to the front in Ukraine

Canadian farmer Arend Feenstra says Russian authorities asked him to sign a contract with the Ministry of Defense in order to obtain a permanent residence permit in Russia. He refuses, saying he has a large family and a farm to look after.

Feenstra moved to the Nizhny Novgorod region approximately two years ago with his wife and eight children. The family obtained temporary residency through a program for foreign citizens who support the so-called “traditional values” promoted by the Kremlin.

According to his online accounts, the farmer has now been asked to sign a contract with the Ministry of Defense, which could send him to war. He warned other foreigners to carefully consider the decision to move to Russia.

The family became known after leaving Canada, where they owned a cattle farm, citing their rejection of “woke and LGBT” ideology, high taxes, and a desire for a Christian education for their children. After arriving in Russia, the money from the sale of the farm was blocked by banks because it was considered suspicious funds. Feenstra’s wife later said she was disappointed by the situation, and the family is now working to develop a new agricultural property.