US whistleblower Edward Snowden obtains Russian citizenship

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a decree granting Russian citizenship to US whistleblower Edward Snowden.

Snowden's name was added to the list of those who have received Russian citizenship, which was enclosed to the presidential decree and published on the official portal.

Snowden, former US National Security Agency contractor, who leaked thousands of documents detailing a long-term surveillance program by the US government, was given asylum in Russia in 2013.

In 2014, Snowden's long-term girlfriend Mills joined him in Russia, they got married in 2017, and had a son in 2020.