Putin rewards American Daniel Martindale with a Russian passport for spying in Ukraine, Russian official says

Moscow — An American who spied on Ukrainian troops to help Moscow's military offensive in the country has been granted Russian citizenship, Moscow-installed authorities said Tuesday. Daniel Martindale spent two years in Ukraine after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, transmitting coordinates of military facilities to Russia's secret services, according to reports in 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 part of Ukraine's Donetsk region said on the Telegram messaging app, adding that Martindale 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, risked his life," he added.