Den

Den was born in a troubled family in a provincial Russian city. His father started drinking heavily after returning from Karabakh. His mother drank too. The boy used to go to school in worn-out sneakers, with a plastic bag instead of a backpack. By that time, his parents were already heavily addicted to drugs, which they made in the kitchen of their apartment. 

Social services only helped after he finished elementary school. Den spent his teenage years in a shelter. At the age of 17, he was placed into foster care. On his 18th birthday, he left. Now Den lives with his wife Yulia. The couple is expecting a child.