American “Happy Milkman” stays in Russia after deportation scare

American farmer Justas Walker, who lives in Russia’s Altai Krai and became widely known online as the “Cheerful milkman”, has said that he and his family will remain in the country after a dispute over their immigration status was resolved.

Walker told RT that he had met officials from Russia’s migration service and was informed that there were no longer grounds to deport his family. He described the situation as a misunderstanding and said the family was now returning home.

“We’re going home, everything is fine. We’re unpacking our suitcases and carrying on with our lives,” Walker said.

The issue arose after members of Walker’s family who do not hold Russian passports failed to renew their proof of legal residence in the country on time. According to Walker, the family has since paid a fine and can remain in Russia.

The development follows a video message Walker posted on Telegram on August 7, in which he said migration authorities had notified him that his residence permit had been cancelled.

At the time, Walker said his family faced deportation and that he intended to challenge the decision, stressing that he did not want to leave Russia.

Walker, an American farmer who settled in Russia’s Altai region, gained attention in Russian-language media and online communities under the nickname “Cheerful milkman”.

By Aghakazim Guliyev