Daniel Martindale, an American who assisted the Kremlin to identify Ukrainian soldiers and was subsequently evacuated from east Ukraine by Russian special forces, has been issued a Russian passport in Moscow.
Russian State Media Showcases Ceremony
Russian state TV telecast a report on Tuesday in which Martindale is seen with a neatly trimmed beard, sporting a suit and tie, smiling as he accepted his new documents.
“I, Daniel Richard Martindale, voluntarily and consciously accepting the citizenship of the Russian Federation, swear to observe the Constitution,” he said in good Russian.
Emotional Declaration of Loyalty
“The belief that Russia is not just my home, but also my family – I am extremely glad that this is not only in my heart, but also by law,” Martindale told television cameras, holding up the Russian passport. State media said Martindale had been granted the passport by order of President Vladimir Putin.
Reuters could not contact Martindale. A U.S. State Department spokesperson refused to comment.
From Missionary to Operative
A Christian missionary, Martindale is one of dozens of foreigners who have backed Russia in its war against Ukraine. But there are few known foreigners to have given crucial logistical support to Russia from within Ukraine.
Martindale came to love Russia when he was there in 2018, learning the language and teaching English in the port city of Vladivostok in the Pacific.
Entry into Ukraine on the Eve of War
Now in his mid-30s, Martindale was based in Poland during the months leading up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He sensed that Russia would invade Ukraine, he subsequently explained that he was curious about it and wanted to be there when it did.
Martindale got on a bike and cycled from Poland across the Ukrainian border in February.
He was in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv when Russia launched its attack.
Initial Reaction to the Conflict
“It was actually kind of exciting,” he told InfoDefense in May. “I understood that the adventure I had been looking forward to was not going to be cancelled.”
Over the next two years, Martindale made his way to eastern Ukraine, where he lived in a Ukrainian-held village near the front line in the Donetsk region.
Blending In While Spying
He planted carrots, sweet potatoes, and corn in his yard, and celebrated birthdays and holidays with villagers, he later told the Wall Street Journal.
Behind the scenes, Martindale was providing information to Russian-backed soldiers, including their Ukrainian army positions and other data.
Pushilin Praises Intelligence Role
Denis Pushilin, the Moscow-appointed head of the Russian-occupied half of Donetsk province, on Tuesday credited Martindale, saying that some of the information he provided constituted the foundation for Russian preparations to capture Kurakhove, a town close to the pivotal Ukrainian supply center of Pokrovsk.
Following two years of activity as an informant for Russia, Martindale was evacuated from Ukraine by Russian troops when they captured the village in which he was residing.
Public Acknowledgment of Role
At a Moscow press conference last November, Martindale informed journalists he had made contact with pro-Russian troops through Telegram.
“For the last two years, I have done everything to save the lives of Russian soldiers and ensure some kind of future for Russians in Ukraine. I would like to continue doing this,” he said.
Official Gratitude from Moscow
On Tuesday, Pushilin thanked Martindale for his contribution to Russia’s military achievements.
The American “has long since proven with his loyalty and actions that he is one of us,” Pushilin said.
“For us, this (the Russian passport) is a sign of respect and a sign of gratitude for what Daniel has done.”
