Edward Snowden gets Russian passport

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

Snowden's lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena, said on Friday Snowden had received his passport. He took the oath.

The decision came at an extremely inauspicious moment, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and subsequent descent into international isolation. Russia has mobilised its population for war and threatened to use nuclear weapons in order to defend territory it has occupied in Ukraine.

Kucherena said on Friday that Snowden was happy and that Russian citizenship would prevent him from being extradited.

He is happy and grateful to the Russian Federation for his citizenship, he is now a fully fledged citizen of Russia, Kucherena said. He can't be given up to a foreign state under the Russian constitution. Kucherena could not be reached for further comment. No photographs or videos of the ceremony have been released.

Individuals with Russian citizenship are required by law to be able to observe the constitution and legislation of the Russian Federation, the rights and freedoms of its citizens, to protect the freedom and independence of the Russian Federation, and to respect its culture, history and traditions. Snowden's wife Lindsay Mills is also said to be applying for Russian citizenship. They live in an unknown location in the country with their two sons who were born in Russia.

Snowden wrote in September: After years of separation from our parents, my wife and I have no desire to be separated from our sons. After two years of waiting and nearly 10 years of exile, a little stability will make a difference for my family.