NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden’s wife Lindsay Mills applies for Russian citizenship, Russian State Media reports

In a significant development, Lindsay Mills, the wife of former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor and whistleblower Edward Snowden, has reportedly applied for Russian citizenship. This move marks another chapter in the Snowden family’s life in exile, as they have lived in Russia since 2013 after Snowden was granted asylum there following his revelations about mass surveillance programs conducted by the U.S. government. Mills’ application for citizenship, as reported by Russian state media, comes amid growing questions about the long-term future of Snowden in Russia and his relationship with the country that has provided him refuge for over a decade.

Snowden’s whistleblowing, which exposed classified details of the NSA’s data-collection practices, was a turning point in the global conversation about privacy, government surveillance, and civil liberties. Since then, Snowden has become a polarizing figure, celebrated by some as a hero and a whistleblower, while others view him as a traitor for leaking sensitive information. Mills, who was initially living in the United States at the time of Snowden’s departure, has been a key figure in Snowden’s life, and her decision to apply for Russian citizenship is drawing significant attention from both supporters and critics of the Snowden family.

The Snowden Family’s Life in Russia

Edward Snowden has lived in Russia since 2013 after fleeing the United States to avoid charges under the Espionage Act and theft of government property, stemming from his leak of classified NSA documents to journalists. His disclosures revealed the extent of the NSA’s global surveillance programs, including the mass collection of phone records and internet data from millions of Americans and foreign nationals. While Snowden’s actions were widely condemned by U.S. officials, they sparked a broader debate about privacy, government overreach, and the balance between national security and civil liberties.

Initially granted temporary asylum by Russia, Snowden has since been allowed to stay in the country, receiving a residency permit and later being granted permanent residency. In 2020, Snowden was also granted Russian citizenship, allowing him to remain in the country long-term. This decision marked a significant shift in Snowden’s status, as it effectively tied his future to Russia, a country with which he had no previous significant ties before seeking asylum there.

Mills, Snowden’s longtime partner, joined him in Russia after spending some time apart following his initial departure from the U.S. In recent years, the couple has lived relatively quietly in Russia, away from the public eye, but their lives have been marked by ongoing attention to their legal and personal situation. Mills has occasionally spoken out in support of her husband, and her application for Russian citizenship is now another step in their long-term commitment to living in exile.

Lindsay Mills’ Application for Russian Citizenship

The news of Mills’ citizenship application was first reported by Russian state media, which has often covered the Snowden family’s story in a sympathetic light. According to reports, Mills has expressed a desire to further integrate into Russian society and secure her future in the country alongside her husband. Although Mills had initially retained her U.S. citizenship, this move to apply for Russian citizenship suggests that she is prepared to make a permanent life in Russia, regardless of the potential consequences with the U.S. government.

While there has been no formal statement from Mills herself regarding the reasons behind her application, it is widely understood that her decision to seek Russian citizenship is tied to the family’s desire for stability and security in their adopted home. The application also reflects the ongoing reality of their situation in Russia, as their ability to travel or return to the U.S. is restricted due to Snowden’s legal status and the ongoing charges against him.

Mills’ decision to seek Russian citizenship has sparked a mixture of reactions, with some viewing it as a necessary step for a family that has been living in exile for over a decade, while others criticize the move as aligning them more closely with a regime that is at odds with American democratic values. Critics argue that by applying for Russian citizenship, Mills and Snowden are further entrenching their association with Russia, a country that has been the subject of significant international controversy, especially in relation to its human rights record and involvement in global conflicts.

The Legal and Political Implications

Mills’ application for Russian citizenship raises several legal and political questions, particularly concerning the relationship between the United States and Russia. For years, Edward Snowden has been the subject of intense scrutiny by U.S. authorities, who have called for his extradition to face charges related to his leaking of classified information. U.S. officials have argued that Snowden’s actions endangered national security and violated the trust of the American people.

Mills, as a U.S. citizen, has been somewhat of an outlier in this regard, as her decision to seek Russian citizenship complicates the legal and political landscape for the Snowden family. The U.S. government has long demanded that Russia extradite Snowden, but the Russian government has refused, citing its own legal system and the lack of an extradition agreement with the U.S. Given that Mills is married to Snowden and has expressed a desire to stay with him in Russia, her citizenship application further solidifies the couple’s permanent ties to Russia and makes their return to the U.S. increasingly unlikely.

For Russia, granting citizenship to Mills further cements its role in providing asylum to Snowden and its ongoing tensions with the U.S. The Russian government has used its asylum of Snowden as a point of pride, positioning itself as a defender of individuals who challenge U.S. power and government secrecy. Snowden’s continued presence in Russia, along with his wife’s potential citizenship, reflects a broader geopolitical narrative in which Russia challenges U.S. foreign policy and claims the moral high ground in defending individuals who oppose American government actions.

Public Reactions to the Snowden Family’s Decisions

The news of Lindsay Mills applying for Russian citizenship has elicited mixed reactions, both in the U.S. and internationally. Supporters of Edward Snowden view the move as a natural progression for the Snowden family, who have been living in Russia for several years and have built their lives there. For these individuals, Snowden is seen as a whistleblower who exposed government overreach and risked his own freedom to protect the privacy of ordinary people. Mills’ decision to seek citizenship is seen as a sign of commitment to the values of transparency and human rights that Snowden championed.

On the other hand, critics of Snowden and his actions continue to view him as a traitor and a threat to national security. For these individuals, Mills’ application for citizenship is a further indication of her and Snowden’s alliance with a regime that is often at odds with democratic values. The U.S. government has labeled Snowden’s actions as criminal, and the idea of Snowden and his wife fully integrating into Russian society is viewed by some as an act of defiance against the United States.

Furthermore, some observers have raised concerns about the implications of the Snowden family’s continued presence in Russia for the broader issue of espionage and international law. The case of Edward Snowden has raised questions about how countries handle whistleblowers and asylum seekers, particularly when their actions conflict with the interests of powerful nations like the U.S.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Edward Snowden and Lindsay Mills?

As Lindsay Mills’ application for Russian citizenship moves forward, the Snowden family’s future remains uncertain. While they have built a life in Russia over the past decade, their situation continues to be influenced by political and legal challenges. Snowden, who has expressed his hope for eventual return to the U.S. under a more lenient administration, may face significant obstacles if he ever attempts to return to American soil.

For now, however, the Snowden family remains in Russia, with Lindsay Mills’ citizenship application serving as a reminder of the complicated and often controversial nature of their exile. The couple’s decisions have made them symbols of larger debates over government surveillance, individual rights, and the ethical considerations of whistleblowing. How their story unfolds will likely continue to spark debate on both sides of the geopolitical divide.