Putin grants Edward Snowden Russian citizenship

Edward Snowden, seen here in 2013 after he exposed domestic spying by the US National Security Agency, took Russian citizenship nine years after taking refuge in Moscow

Edward Snowden, seen here in 2013 after he exposed domestic spying by the US National Security Agency, took Russian citizenship nine years after taking refuge in Moscow

President Vladimir Putin on Monday granted Russian citizenship to US whistleblower Edward Snowden, who exposed massive surveillance by the US National Security Agency on Americans and then sought refuge in Russia.

A presidential decree published Monday included Snowden on a list of newly-minted Russian citizens, at a time when relations between Washington and Moscow are at historic lows over the conflict in Ukraine.

"After years of separation from our parents, my wife and I have no desire to be separated from our SONS," Snowden wrote on Twitter.

The former American intelligence contractor, 39, leaked secret documents to media outlets in 2013 revealing that the NSA was collecting massive amounts of communications metadata and other information on US citizens, in violation of their constitutional right to privacy.

After revealing those secrets, Snowden sought refuge in Russia. He married longtime girlfriend Mills in Moscow in 2017. 

But he said he wanted to keep his US nationality.

The couple had a second son earlier this year.

- Dual US-Russian citizen -

"I'm not aware of any change in his citizenship status," Price said.

Putin last week announced a mobilisation of 300,000 Russian reservists to contribute to the Russian army's fight in Ukraine.

The White House did not comment directly on Snowden's Russian citizenship.

After he sought refuge in Russia, the US Justice Department filed a criminal complaint with three felony charges against Snowden: theft of government property, disclosing crucial US defense information, and providing classified materials to unauthorized persons.

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