American man who aided Russian forces in Ukraine granted citizenship by Putin
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jul 16, 2025, 01:00 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Highlight of the story: An American citizen received Russian citizenship. Daniel Richard Martindale got the passport in Moscow. He allegedly supported Russian military operations. Russian officials claim he helped capture a Ukrainian village. Martindale says Russia is his home. He wants to settle in Russia. He lived in China and Russia earlier. His actions are likely to face scrutiny in the U.S.
In a move that has stirred controversy and renewed questions about foreign involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, an American citizen has been granted Russian citizenship for his alleged support of Russian military operations. Daniel Richard Martindale, a U.S. national originally from upstate New York and Indiana, was officially awarded a Russian passport in Moscow on Tuesday, July 15, after playing what Russian officials describe as a critical role in the war effort.
Russian state media broadcast footage of Martindale receiving his passport from Denis Pushilin, the Kremlin-backed leader of the Russian-occupied Donetsk region. Appearing in a formal suit and tie, Martindale stood smiling as he took an oath of allegiance to the Russian constitution. The ceremony marked the culmination of a journey Martindale claims began more than a decade ago with a dream of calling Russia his permanent home.
According to Pushilin, Martindale helped Russian troops capture the Ukrainian village of Bohoiavlenka near Vuhledar in October 2023 and provided intelligence that aided in the seizure of the city of Kurakhove. Citing threats to his safety, Pushilin said Russian special forces executed a complex rescue mission to extract Martindale from eastern Ukraine.
“This dream entered my heart ten years ago, long before the current conflict—a conviction that Russia is not only my home but also my family,” Martindale said during the ceremony. He added that he now hopes to settle down in Russia, raise a family, and begin a new chapter of life as a citizen of the Federation. Russian media also reported that his family is supportive of the decision and plans to join him or visit soon.
Martindale’s path to Russian citizenship is far from conventional. Born to American missionary parents, he spent much of his early life on farms in the U.S. before moving with his family to rural China. A brief visit to Russia’s Far East while living in China sparked his initial interest in the country. That fascination grew over the years, eventually leading him to move to Vladivostok in 2018, where he studied Russian and taught English. However, he was deported a year later for violating Russian labor laws.
Undeterred, Martindale relocated to southern Poland, but remained intent on returning to Russia. According to reports from the Wall Street Journal, he entered Ukraine in early 2022, just days before Russian forces launched their full-scale invasion. His subsequent actions, according to Russian authorities, involved direct support for Kremlin military operations, ultimately culminating in his extraction and reward of citizenship.
While Russian officials portray Martindale as a symbol of loyalty and international solidarity, his case is likely to attract scrutiny in Washington and beyond. U.S. authorities have not publicly commented on his decision to assist Russian forces during a war that has drawn widespread condemnation and international sanctions.
The timing of Martindale’s citizenship also comes amid an escalating war and deepening tensions between Russia and NATO countries. Analysts say that awarding citizenship to a foreign national who actively aided Russian forces in Ukraine sends a provocative message and may be used by the Kremlin to boost morale and propaganda efforts.
For now, Martindale appears content with his decision. “I’ve done everything I could to save the lives of Russian soldiers,” he told reporters last year. With his new passport in hand, he says he’s finally where he belongs. But to many observers, his story raises far more questions than it answers—about loyalty, ideology, and the growing international complexity of modern warfare.
Russian state media broadcast footage of Martindale receiving his passport from Denis Pushilin, the Kremlin-backed leader of the Russian-occupied Donetsk region. Appearing in a formal suit and tie, Martindale stood smiling as he took an oath of allegiance to the Russian constitution. The ceremony marked the culmination of a journey Martindale claims began more than a decade ago with a dream of calling Russia his permanent home.
According to Pushilin, Martindale helped Russian troops capture the Ukrainian village of Bohoiavlenka near Vuhledar in October 2023 and provided intelligence that aided in the seizure of the city of Kurakhove. Citing threats to his safety, Pushilin said Russian special forces executed a complex rescue mission to extract Martindale from eastern Ukraine.
“This dream entered my heart ten years ago, long before the current conflict—a conviction that Russia is not only my home but also my family,” Martindale said during the ceremony. He added that he now hopes to settle down in Russia, raise a family, and begin a new chapter of life as a citizen of the Federation. Russian media also reported that his family is supportive of the decision and plans to join him or visit soon.
Martindale’s path to Russian citizenship is far from conventional. Born to American missionary parents, he spent much of his early life on farms in the U.S. before moving with his family to rural China. A brief visit to Russia’s Far East while living in China sparked his initial interest in the country. That fascination grew over the years, eventually leading him to move to Vladivostok in 2018, where he studied Russian and taught English. However, he was deported a year later for violating Russian labor laws.
Undeterred, Martindale relocated to southern Poland, but remained intent on returning to Russia. According to reports from the Wall Street Journal, he entered Ukraine in early 2022, just days before Russian forces launched their full-scale invasion. His subsequent actions, according to Russian authorities, involved direct support for Kremlin military operations, ultimately culminating in his extraction and reward of citizenship.
While Russian officials portray Martindale as a symbol of loyalty and international solidarity, his case is likely to attract scrutiny in Washington and beyond. U.S. authorities have not publicly commented on his decision to assist Russian forces during a war that has drawn widespread condemnation and international sanctions.
The timing of Martindale’s citizenship also comes amid an escalating war and deepening tensions between Russia and NATO countries. Analysts say that awarding citizenship to a foreign national who actively aided Russian forces in Ukraine sends a provocative message and may be used by the Kremlin to boost morale and propaganda efforts.
For now, Martindale appears content with his decision. “I’ve done everything I could to save the lives of Russian soldiers,” he told reporters last year. With his new passport in hand, he says he’s finally where he belongs. But to many observers, his story raises far more questions than it answers—about loyalty, ideology, and the growing international complexity of modern warfare.