U.S. Whistleblower Edward Snowden, Now a Russian Citizen, Not Eligible for Conscription

Former U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden has been granted Russian citizenship with additional benefits - he is not eligible for conscription.

Russian government has confirmed Snowden’s citizenship. He fled the U.S. in 2013 after leaking classified information on NSA surveillance programs.

Snowden was granted temporary asylum in Moscow when he first moved there in June 2013. He received a permanent residence permit in 2020 and immediately applied for Russian citizenship after that.

Snowden’s lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena, told Russian outlet Interfax that “since Edward didn’t serve in the Russian army and has no military service experience, he’s not liable for conscription.”

Conscription is the state-mandated enlistment of people in a national service, mainly a military service.