The teen spy who risked his life to save his friends aged just 16 – and only left when he feared being recruited into the Russian army
Artem Kariakin was only 16 when he started working for the resistance in the eastern city of Kadiivka, which was overrun by the Russians in the spring of 2014.
In a small town where many pro-Russians live (before and after the invasion), Artem could not trust anyone. So he operated alone, risking his life by spying 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 warning them of an impending attack and giving them time to take shelter before the skies started raining Russian missiles.
Despite life under occupation being “gray and empty,” Artem told me he stayed “because I could see how useful it would be for Ukraine if I continued to pass on intelligence.”
Artem Kariakin (photo) was only 16 when he started working for the resistance in the eastern city of Kadiivka, which was overrun by the Russians in the spring of 2014.
In a small town where many pro-Russians live (before and after the invasion), Artem could not trust anyone
As early as January 2015, he saved the lives of his friends in Ukrainian-controlled Debaltseve by warning them of an impending attack and giving them time to take shelter before the skies started raining Russian missiles (photo: Kariakin’s medals)
After seven years of resistance and after the deaths of his parents within a year of each other, Artem left in December 2021.
“There was a danger that I would be recruited into the Russian army, so it was time to leave,” he said.
His arrival in Kiev proved incredibly useful as Russian tanks gathered at the border. The information he passed on to the Ukrainian military was used for many of the first rocket attacks on Russian positions.
Three days after the invasion, and having never carried a weapon before, he enrolled in the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Force. He’s been fighting for Ukraine ever since, including in the Army’s Special Forces – and keeping in touch with friends behind enemy lines who are still smuggling out vital information.
His message to the West is simple: “We urgently 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 Kadiivka; his parents’ graves are shrouded in Russian flags. However, he is defiant.
After seven years of resistance and after the deaths of his parents within a year of each other, Artem left in December 2021
Three days after the invasion, and having never carried a weapon before, he enrolled in the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Force (photo: Kariakin’s medals)
“My greatest wish is to liberate my hometown 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 on all those who betrayed Ukraine and on those who stole a big part of my life.”
- Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC is an international businessman, philanthropist, author and pollster. For more information about his work, visit lordashcroft.com. Follow him on X/Facebook @LordAshcroft