An American who spied on Ukrainian troops to aid Moscow’s military offensive in Ukraine has been granted Russian citizenship, according to Moscow-installed authorities.
Daniel Martindale reportedly spent two years inside Ukraine after Russia launched its offensive, providing coordinates of military facilities to Russian intelligence, as reported by Russian state media.
“By decree of our president Vladimir Putin, a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation was awarded to Daniel Martindale,” Denis Pushilin, the head of the Russian-occupied Donetsk region, said on Telegram.
Pushilin praised Martindale’s loyalty, saying he had long since proven with his loyalty and actions that he is one of us.
“He spent more than two years in the territory under enemy control. And not only did he survive—he helped. He supported our guys, passed on important information to our special services, and risked his life,” Pushilin added.
Martindale received his Russian passport at a ceremony in Moscow from interior ministry officials, according to state media and a video published by Pushilin.
In the video, Martindale thanked Russia for “accepting me”, calling becoming a Russian citizen a “dream”.
“Russia is not only my home but also my family,” he said in Russian.
Pushilin revealed that Martindale was extracted in “a complex evacuation operation” after Moscow feared for his safety if he remained in Ukraine any longer.
In November 2024, Russian state media reported that security forces had taken Martindale to Russia, where he applied for citizenship.
A Telegram account believed to be his posted at that time: “Hello, I’m Daniel Martindale, the guy that Russian soldiers risked their lives to evacuate from the village where I had lived for two years.”
— AFP
