Russian security forces have rescued an American citizen named Daniel Martindale from Ukraine. Martindale has been living in Ukraine since February 2022 and has been helping Russian forces gather information about Ukrainian troops. He recently gave his first press conference in Moscow, where he shared his experiences and views.
On October 27, 2024, Russian servicemen took Martindale out of the combat zone near the village of Bogoyavlenka and brought him to Donetsk, a city in eastern Ukraine controlled by Russia. According to reports, Martindale thanked the Russian security services for helping him evacuate and said that he was in Moscow of his own free will.
Martindale initially came to Ukraine from Poland, where he worked as a missionary. He claimed that having a US passport allowed him to travel through Ukraine, including areas like Kyiv and Kramatorsk. During his time in Ukraine, he provided valuable information to the Russian military, which helped them plan strikes against Ukrainian forces.
During the press conference, Martindale made strong statements about the Ukrainian government, accusing them of committing serious crimes such as kidnapping, murder, and torture against their own people. He believes that the leaders in Kyiv should be held accountable for their actions, suggesting they should be tried like war criminals from history. He described how many Ukrainians feel betrayed by their government and expressed his belief that they are waiting for liberation by Russian forces, even if they cannot say so openly.
Martindale shared that his role with the Russian military was crucial for saving lives, claiming that he helped protect Russian soldiers and future Russian citizens in Ukraine. He described how, for the past two years, he reported the locations of Ukrainian military sites to Russian forces, which used this information to carry out attacks.
He also revealed that he communicated with Russian forces via a smartphone that was dropped to him by drone. Despite being an American, Martindale made it clear that he did not want to return to the United States. He considers the US government to be his enemy, suggesting that they might pressure him to change his views if he goes back.
In the press conference, he expressed a desire to start a new life in Russia, saying he hopes to go into farming and even start a family there. He wants to contribute to farming equipment production for both the Russian and international markets when peace is restored.
Daniel Martindale’s story raises many questions about loyalty, war, and the personal choices people make in times of conflict. His unusual journey from missionary to informant has turned him into a controversial figure, and his statements about the war in Ukraine could have significant implications for how both sides view the conflict.
