Artem Karyakin was only 16 when he began working for the resistance in the eastern city of Kadivka, captured by the Russians, in the spring of 2014.
In a small town where a lot of pro-Russians live (before and after the invasion), Artem could not trust anyone. So he worked alone, risking his life to spy for the Ukrainian military and intelligence services, using secret social media accounts to provide details of enemy troop movements and weapons depots.
As early as January 2015, he saved the lives of his friends in Ukrainian-controlled Debaltseve by informing them of an impending attack and giving them time to seek shelter before Russian rockets began raining from the sky.
Despite life being ‘grey and empty’ under the occupation, Artem told me he stayed ‘because I could see how useful it would be’ ukraine If I continue to provide intelligence’.
Artem Karyakin (pictured) was just 16 when he began working for the resistance in the Russian-occupied eastern city of Kadivka in the spring of 2014.
In a small town where a lot of Russian supporters live (before and after the invasion), Artem could not trust anyone.
In early January 2015 he saved the lives of his friends in Ukrainian-controlled Debaltseve by telling them about an impending attack and giving them time to seek shelter before Russian rockets started raining from the sky (Picture: Karyakin’s medals)
After seven years of resistance, and the death of his parents within a year, Artem left in December 2021.
He said, ‘There was a danger that I would be drafted into the Russian army, so now it was time to leave.’
Their arrival in Kiev proved incredibly useful as Russian tanks were gathering at the border. The intelligence they provided to Ukrainian forces was used to launch several early missile attacks on Russian targets.
Three days after the invasion, and having never held a gun before, he enlisted in the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Force. He has been fighting for Ukraine ever since, including with Army Special Forces – and he is in contact with friends behind enemy lines who are still smuggling vital information.
His message to the West is simple: ‘We desperately need more weapons and more ammunition as quickly as possible to fight our enemy.’
At the age of 26, Artem is considered a traitor in Kadivka – his parents’ graves are draped in Russian flags. However, he is defiant.
After seven years of resistance, and the death of his parents within a year, Artem left in December 2021
Three days after the invasion, and having never held a gun before, he enlisted in the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Force (Image: Karyakin’s medals)
The soldier, who has been awarded three times for bravery, says, ‘My biggest wish is to liberate my hometown from Russia.’
‘This is not a dream – this is my goal and it will happen.’ I want to take revenge on all those who betrayed Ukraine and who stole a big part of my life.
- Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC is an international businessman, philanthropist, author and surveyor. For more information about his work see lorashcroft.com, Follow him on X/Facebook @LordAshcroft