American Boxer Johnson and Canadian Ice Hockey Player Leipsic Obtain Russian Citizenship

Russian President Vladimir Putin has granted Russian citizenship to U.S. boxer Kevin Johnson and Canadian ice hockey player Brendan Leipsic under a decree published on a Russian government website on Tuesday.

Russian newspaper Izvestia reported in September that heavyweight boxer Johnson had asked Mr. Putin for Russian citizenship, shortly after Mr. Johnson adopted the Russian-style patronymic Vladimirovich—a decision he said he took in honor of the Russian leader.

Mr. Leipsic, who was sacked by the Washington Capitals in 2020 after making controversial remarks, has since played for Russian ice hockey teams. In July, Russian media reported that he had written to Mr. Putin asking for citizenship.

Russia has previously given citizenship to a string of Western celebrities who have requested it and publicly spoken out in support of Russia, including U.S. actor Steven Seagal and French actor Gerard Depardieu.