US Citizen Seeks Russian Citizenship After Allegedly Assisting Russia’s Military Efforts

Daniel Martindale, a US citizen reportedly extracted from eastern Ukraine by Russian forces, appeared at a press conference in Moscow, where he expressed a desire for Russian citizenship. According to Reuters, Martindale claimed he provided information on Ukrainian military positions to assist Russian forces.

Martindale, who presented what he described as his “war-weathered” US passport, explained he entered Ukraine in February 2022 as a missionary. His decision, he said, was driven by a long-standing interest in Russia, aligning with the timeline of Moscow’s full-scale military operation against Ukraine. “I’ve wanted to come to Russia for a long time, and I realized this was my moment,” he stated in English at the Moscow press event, organized by Russian state media.

Martindale entered Ukraine on February 11, 2022, just days before Russia’s full-scale invasion. According to Russian state outlets, Martindale connected with pro-Russian forces in Ukraine through the Telegram messaging platform, reportedly relaying data about Ukrainian positions from the Donetsk region. An anonymous Russian intelligence source cited by RIA Novosti alleged that Martindale’s information was used to direct strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure. The details of Martindale’s intelligence contributions, however, remain undisclosed.

Martindale further noted that Russian operatives once delivered a phone to him via drone, enabling ongoing communications with Russian forces. He emphasized his intention to continue aiding Russian soldiers, saying, “For the last two years, I’ve done everything to preserve the lives of Russian soldiers and secure a future for Russians in Ukraine.”

The US Embassy in Moscow has not provided a comment on Martindale’s statements. Prior to this media appearance, Martindale had not been publicly identified in connection with Russian intelligence activities.

According to an archived social media profile, Martindale, born in 1991, studied at a private university in Indiana and has lived in multiple countries, including Poland. His account shows fluency in Russian, Polish, and Chinese and a record of posts indicating an interest in libertarian views and Eastern European issues.