Kathrine Frich
The same villager claimed Putin’s father was “notorious for terrorising teenage girls.”
The same villager claimed Putin’s father was “notorious for terrorising teenage girls.”
A claim from an unconfirmed “bombshell” book
Media reports cite a supposed new book, The Tsar in Person: How Vladimir Putin Fooled Us All, which alleges a violent attack in Putin’s family history.
The book’s existence has not been independently verified.
According to the reports, the account paints a disturbing picture of his father’s behavior toward his mother before their marriage.
Alleged pitchfork attack in 1928
The claim centers on an incident in the Tver region, when Maria, known as Marusya, was 17.
Villager Anfisa Kormilitsyna allegedly recalled:
“They took the pitchfork that was standing by the fence and started breaking down the gate.”
She said Putin’s father, Vladimir senior, broke through and “hit Marusya right in the face,” causing the loss of her eye.
Injury and immediate hospital visit
According to the same account, Maria was taken to hospital right away, where her eye was removed.
The report says she later wore a glass eye and avoided looking people in the face.
“She tilted her head to the side,” the villager claimed, describing her embarrassment about the injury.
Forced marriage after the injury
The villager alleged that Maria’s mother threatened Putin’s father: “If you don’t marry, I’ll put you on trial.”
In those days, she said, the incident was “a disgrace” for a young woman.
The pair married soon after, despite the violent origins of their relationship.
Allegations of harassment of young girls
The same villager claimed Putin’s father was “notorious for terrorising teenage girls.”
She alleged he liked “to lift up girls’ skirts and tie them in a knot over their heads” so local boys “could get a better look at the girl’s knickers.”
Co-author Roman Badanin is cited as confirming these claims in the book.
Russian outlet Proekt’s version of the story
Independent Russian news outlet Proekt reportedly echoed the allegation, writing:
“Putin’s mother had been one-eyed since her youth because the other eye had been put out with a pitchfork in a fit of rage by the father of the future Russian leader.”
Putin’s own version of his parents
Despite these claims, Putin has spoken only positively about his parents.
“Never, I want to emphasise this, never did I see my father drunk,” he said in 2024. “I never heard a single swear word from him… not one.”
He has also insisted the same about his mother, calling them both perfect.
