The teen spy who risked his life to save his friends aged just 16

Release time：2024-05-21 11:07:40 Source：World Wander news portal

Artem Kariakin was only 16 when he started working for the resistance in the eastern city of Kadiivka, overrun by the Russians in the spring of 2014.

In a small city that's home to plenty of pro-Russians (from before and after the invasion), Artem could trust no one. So he operated alone, risking his life to spy for the Ukrainian army and intelligence services, using secret social media accounts to provide details of enemy troop movements and weapon depots.

As early as January 2015 he saved the lives of his friends in Ukrainian-controlled Debaltseve by tipping them off about an imminent attack and giving them time to shelter before the sky began to rain Russian rockets.

Despite life under occupation being 'grey and empty', Artem told me he stayed 'because I could see how useful it would be to Ukraine if I continued to pass on intelligence'.

Artem Kariakin (pictured) was only 16 when he started working for the resistance in the eastern city of Kadiivka, overrun by the Russians in the spring of 2014

In a small city that's home to plenty of pro-Russians (from before and after the invasion), Artem could trust no one

As early as January 2015 he saved the lives of his friends in Ukrainian-controlled Debaltseve by tipping them off about an imminent attack and giving them time to shelter before the sky began to rain Russian rockets (pictured: Kariakin's medals)

After seven years of resistance, and following the death of his parents within a year of each other, Artem left in December 2021.

'There was a danger I would have been recruited into the Russian army, so it was time to leave,' he said.

His arrival in Kyiv proved incredibly useful as Russian tanks were gathering on the border. The intelligence he passed on to the Ukrainian army was used for many of the early missile strikes on Russian positions.

Three days after the invasion, and having never carried a gun before, he enrolled into the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Force. He has been fighting for Ukraine, including in the Army's Special Forces, ever since – and he is in contact with friends behind enemy lines who are still smuggling out vital information.

His message to the West is simple: 'We desperately need more weapons and more ammunition, as fast as possible, to fight our enemy.'

At 26, Artem is regarded as a traitor in Kadiivka – his parents' graves have been draped in Russian flags. However, he is defiant.

After seven years of resistance, and following the death of his parents within a year of each other, Artem left in December 2021

Three days after the invasion, and having never carried a gun before, he enrolled into the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Force (pictured: Kariakin's medals)

'My greatest desire is to liberate my home city from Russia,' says the soldier, who has been decorated three times for bravery.

'This is not a dream – it is my goal and this will happen. I want revenge against all those who betrayed Ukraine and those who have stolen a big part of my life.'

• Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC is an international businessman, philanthropist, author and pollster. For more information on his work, visit lordashcroft.com. Follow him on X/Facebook @LordAshcroft 

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