Biography
"Sometimes it feels as if life has come to a standstill," said Roman Kuchin. "Everything that used to be everyday joys — work, meeting with friends, vacation plans, family dreams — was suddenly postponed indefinitely." In the spring of 2026, law enforcement officers conducted a search of Roman's home and interrogated him.
Roman was born in Kurgan in March 1994. He has an older brother and sister. His father spent most of his life working as a driver. Later, his parents became janitors. The children were taught to respect any honest work and not to be afraid of physical labor. In the summer, the family cultivated potatoes and prepared hay for the cows. His father built their house with his own hands, and young Roman was always by his side — at first passing tools, and later taking on simple tasks. This experience later helped him choose his profession.
Recalling his school years, Roman said: "I always enjoyed learning to do things with my hands and discovering something new. I was drawn to technical literature, psychology, and popular science books." In elementary school, he attended the "Yunyy Naturalist" club and joined the library. Roman and his brother loved fishing. In the summer, the family picked mushrooms and berries. In his teens, Roman took up powerlifting.
After school, he enrolled in a vocational school to train as a construction worker. However, he did not complete his training: as early as his second year, Roman began working on construction sites and realized that he gained the necessary skills more quickly this way.
Later, Roman moved into real estate — at first working as an agent, then, he started a business with partners. After moving to Tyumen, he got a job as a sales manager for paint and varnish materials, and then as a technician for a company that services engineering systems. About half a year later, Roman was appointed site manager, and after a few more months, deputy technical director.
Roman has a wide range of interests. He enjoys playing chess and studying modern technology; for some time, he was interested in programming and web development. Roman still enjoys sports: "For me, it is not only a way to keep fit, but also a good way to maintain inner balance," he said. "Especially in recent years, exercising has helped me cope with stress and shift gears after difficult events."
Roman's grandmother was the first in the family to learn about Jehovah's Witnesses — back in the 1970s. Later, his parents also became Jehovah's Witnesses. Roman grew up in a family where great importance was placed on being peaceful, honest, loving, and respectful toward others.
"My parents never forced me to accept their religious beliefs," said Roman. "They understood that faith must be a personal choice." In high school, he began to take the Bible more seriously. He recalls: "I increasingly noticed how my peers were changing: some started smoking, some abusing alcohol, others taking drugs or stealing. It was hard to watch such choices gradually destroy their relationships with loved ones and ruin their plans for the future." In 2010, Roman was baptized and became one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Bible principles became the foundation of Roman's family life. According to him, they help him and his wife calmly discuss difficulties that arise, respect each other's opinions, and find solutions together. Yekaterina is a graphic designer. They met through mutual friends and were married in the summer of 2020.
For a time, the couple lived in Tyumen, but due to the criminal prosecution they had to move to Kurgan. The families of Roman and Yekaterina have been facing repression for their faith for several years. In 2021, a search was conducted at the home of Roman's parents in Kurgan; afterward, they and his sister were repeatedly summoned for interrogations. Later, a search was also conducted at the home of Yekaterina's parents. "These events were a serious test for the entire family," Roman says. "My parents' chronic illnesses have worsened because of ongoing stress. Despite their own difficulties, they continue to support us. Their love has become one of our main pillars of support during this hard time."