US Citizen Gains Russian Citizenship for Spying

Daniel Martindale, an American citizen from New York, was granted Russian citizenship by decree of President Vladimir Putin after spending two years in Ukraine transmitting intelligence on Ukrainian military facilities to Russian authorities. Russian officials, including Denis Pushilin, praised Martindale for his loyalty and described his assistance as crucial to Russia's military efforts in capturing Ukrainian villages. He was extracted from Ukraine in a complex operation due to threats to his safety and later took an oath of citizenship in a televised Moscow ceremony. Martindale expressed gratitude and said he plans to remain in Russian-occupied Ukraine. The U.S. embassy in Moscow has not commented on the case, while Martindale's family reportedly supports his decision. Russian state media have widely publicized his defection, emphasizing its propaganda value.