• Daniel Martindale, a US citizen, granted Russian citizenship for spying on Ukraine.
• He provided coordinates of military targets to Russian intelligence.
• Martindale received his passport in a ceremony led by Russian officials.
• He stated that being recognized as Russian was a 'dream' for him.

Daniel Martindale, a U.S. citizen who provided intelligence on Ukrainian troops to assist Russia's military efforts, has been awarded Russian citizenship, according to sources from Moscow-installed authorities. The announcement was made following Martindale's two-year tenure in Ukraine, during which he transmitted critical information regarding military facilities directly to Russian intelligence services, according to Reuters, CBS News, India Times, and Dawn.

Dennis Pushilin, the head of the Russian-occupied part of Ukraine's Donetsk region, stated that President Vladimir Putin issued the decree awarding Martindale Russian citizenship. Pushilin described Martindale as having "long since proven with his loyalty and actions that he is one of us," highlighting the significant risks Martindale took to support Russian operations. "He supported our guys, passed on important information to our special services, risked his life," Pushilin affirmed, according to CBS News and Reuters.

During the ceremony in Moscow, Martindale expressed gratitude for being accepted into Russian society, stating that becoming a citizen was a "dream" for him. "Russia is not only my home, but my family," he said during a televised event, echoing sentiments shared by various outlets including India Times and Dawn.

Martindale's activities reportedly included communicating with Russian intelligence ahead of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and assisting in military operations. His evacuation from Ukraine was characterized as a complex operation by Pushilin, indicating that his life was in danger as the conflict intensified, per reports from Reuters, CBS News, and India Times.