An American man who allegedly spied on Ukrainian forces to aid Russia’s military campaign has been granted Russian citizenship by decree of President Vladimir Putin, according to Moscow-backed officials.
Daniel Martindale, who spent over two years in Ukraine following the start of Russia’s invasion, was said to have passed along military coordinates to Russian intelligence services. Russian state media claim he operated from territory controlled by Ukraine before being extracted in a covert evacuation amid fears for his safety.
“By decree of our President Vladimir Putin, a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation was awarded to Daniel Martindale,” said Denis Pushilin, the Kremlin-installed leader of occupied Donetsk, in a statement on Telegram.
Pushilin praised Martindale’s loyalty, claiming, “He spent more than two years in enemy-held territory. Not only did he survive—he helped our forces, relayed valuable intelligence to our special services, and risked his life.”
Martindale received his passport during a formal ceremony at Russia’s Interior Ministry in Moscow. In a video released by Pushilin, Martindale—speaking in Russian—said he was honored to receive citizenship, adding, “Russia is not only my home, but my family.”
Russian officials said Martindale was evacuated from Ukraine in November 2024 in a “complex operation” as threats to his life increased. Soon after his arrival, he applied for citizenship.
In a Telegram post believed to be written by Martindale at the time, he introduced himself as “the guy that Russian soldiers risked their lives to evacuate from the village where I had lived for two years.”
Martindale’s case has sparked widespread attention, with critics calling it part of Russia’s propaganda efforts to portray Westerners as allies in its war effort. Neither the U.S. State Department nor Ukrainian authorities have publicly commented on his claims.
