Vladimir Putin granted Russian citizenship to a British national who left the UK to fight for the Kremlin in Ukraine.

Aiden Minnis, a 37-year-old man from Chippenham, Wiltshire, took to social media to show off his freshly minted Russian passport.

In the picture shared on Facebook, the man held his new official document with a huge grin on his face. Bare-chested, he can be seen sitting down at a table with a Russian flag wrapped around him and his middle finger aimed at the camera.

The man, one of the two UK nationals known to be fighting as mercenaries for Putin, is a former member of the far-right National Front with a conviction for a racist attack.

Minnis shared the picture alongside the celebratory caption: “I’m officially Russian”.

He later published a video in which he voiced his love for Russia and hatred for Britain.

Minnis, who previously labelled the UK a “fascist state” risks being arrested should he ever return to Britain.

He addressed the possibility in his latest clip, saying he is now “safe from prosecution”.

Minnis said: “I have a Russian passport. I am now Russian. I am relieved because now I know I am safe, safe from prosecution in the UK, safe from false and bogus charges just because I want to come and fight for Russia and fight for a just cause and the people of Donbas.”

Seemingly happy with his new life in the country that has been under the increasingly tight control of Putin for the past two decades, the man added: “I am starting a new life in Russia. I am now Russian. I am happy to be Russian.

“I reiterate that I condemn my country or origin. I hate it for what they have done to the people of Donbas, to Russia, and what they continue to do. And I am looking forward to starting a new life.”

Minnis said to be on vacation at the moment, but expects to be soon sent back to the frontline, where things are going to “get tougher” for him, he said.

The 37-year-old is a combat engineer and has claimed to be the only non-Russian in his company.

His choice to betray Britain for Russia has reportedly led his family to disown him.

A UK Government spokesman said: “Reports of British nationals taking part in illegal invasion are shocking and their alleged actions are reprehensible.

“Those who travel from the UK to conflict zones to engage in unlawful activity should expect to be investigated upon their return.”