Canadian farmer Arend Feenstra, who moved to Russia through a streamlined immigration program for citizens of “unfriendly” countries who share “traditional values,” has complained that he cannot get a permanent residence permit. The news outlet Nizhny Novgorod Onlain drew attention to his YouTube video.

Feenstra received a three-year temporary residence permit in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region in early 2025. He then brought his wife and eight children to Russia and began farming.

But Feenstra has now learned that to replace his temporary residence permit with a permanent one, he must sign a contract with Russia’s Defense Ministry.

  • lokalhorst@feddit.org
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    8 hours ago

    How can someone move his family with 8 children to a war zone? “Traditional values” what the fuck?

    • aramis87@fedia.io
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      4 hours ago

      Tbf, he was probably very far away from the war (Russia is massive). And for all that he paid attention to Canada’s flaws, he didn’t pay attention to Russia’s trafficking in people from all over the world to act as cannon fodder. Unfortunately for his family, he didn’t realize his privileges until they got revoked.

      Ofc, there’s nothing preventing him (trying to) move his family back to Canada, but I wouldn’t be surprised if any assets he has in Russia are confiscated (the farm, any money he might have, etc). They’ll probably let the wife return, and hopefully any younger kids, but the dad’s fate and that of any older boys (who I feel very sorry for) may be very different.

    • Jhex@lemmy.world
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      8 hours ago

      when they are so brain damaged that war is an adventure like in the TV but knowing that some person in Canada is cay and exists, that’s the real danger!!!