Edward Snowden gets Russian passport after swearing oath of allegiance

Edward Snowden has received a Russian passport after swearing an oath of allegiance to the country that has sheltered him from US authorities since 2013, his lawyer has said.

Snowden, 39, a former intelligence contractor who leaked secret files that were reported on by the Guardian, was granted Russian citizenship in an order signed by Vladimir Putin in September.

Kucherena could not immediately be reached for further comment. No photographs or video of the ceremony have been released.

In Washington, state department spokesman Ned Price said the US was aware of reports that Snowden had finalised his Russian citizenship and said the Biden administration would not be surprised if the reports were correct.