An American farmer who once featured in pro-Kremlin media now faces deportation from Russia after criticizing local officials and government-backed gold mining near his Altai farm. Justus Walker says authorities plan to revoke his residence permit as early as Monday, potentially giving his family only days to leave and little chance of compensation for the property. The case has provoked debate online about his past cooperation with state media and the consequences of public dissent.
American ‘Merry Milkman’ Faces Deportation From Russia After Criticizing Officials
Farmer Justus Walker is fighting against deportation from Russia. / YouTube
An American farmer who once appeared in pro-Kremlin programming now faces possible deportation from Russia after publicly criticizing local officials and government-backed mining near his farm in the Altai region.
“This is just a shock for us,” farmer Justus Walker says in a YouTube video titled "Family Tragedy," posted after he learned officials plan to revoke his residence permit as early as Monday. "It's just mind-boggling. I can't even believe it. My family is being expelled from the country."
Background
Walker, who moved to Russia with his parents at age 11 and later returned as an adult, built a small goat farm in rural Altai. He and his wife Rebecca — who document family life as a project called Sent To Siberia — have three children and long maintained a public social-media presence about their life on the farm.
From Promoter to Critic
In 2014 Walker appeared on a Russian television feature praising the government's ban on food imports from some countries and joked that Russians would need to buy his cheese. Until recently he was sometimes nicknamed the "Merry Milkman" or "Cheerful Dairyman."
Justus Walker / Justus Walker/YouTube
Since 2024, however, Walker has publicly criticized government-backed gold-mining operations near his property and posted comments alleging that the state has acted punitively toward agricultural producers, pushing many small and medium-sized farmers out of business.
Deportation Risk And Legal Options
Observers say Walker is unlikely to receive compensation for the farm if authorities expel the family. Walker told followers he is exploring legal avenues to appeal the residency revocation, warning that if the decision is final the family may have only a few days to leave.
The Daily Beast has reached out to the Russian Embassy in New York for comment.
Public Reaction
Comments on social media have been sharply divided. Some critics say Walker was used in Kremlin messaging to legitimize the regime and that his current predicament was foreseeable; others point to the broader risks foreign residents face when they publicly clash with local authorities.
Note: All reported details are based on Walker's public statements and media coverage; verification from Russian authorities was not available at time of writing.
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