Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The findings paint a picture of a tightly woven family web stretching through the Kremlin’s most powerful institutions.
The Russian investigative outlet Proekt is doing a wider series titled “Fathers and Grandfathers”, examining nepotism and inheritance of power among Russia’s ruling elite
Under that series, the outles has found out that at least 24 members of President Putin’s extended family have benefited from state connections.
As reported by Ukrainska Pravda, citing Proekt’s investigation, the investigation suggests that relatives across all four of the Russian leader’s known partners — Lyudmila Putina-Ocheretnaya, Alina Kabaeva, Svetlana Krivonogikh and Alisa Kharchova — have received jobs or financial advantages through state bodies and enterprises.
Relatives in key posts
Proekt’s report indicates that the family line connected to Yevgeny Putin holds particularly prominent positions.
His relatives Anna Tsivileva, Sergei Tsivilev and Mikhail Putin serve in senior roles within the Russian government and the energy giant Gazprom.
Another family branch, descending from Putin’s father’s side, is linked to control over RusGidro, Russia’s state hydroelectric company.
The firm is headed by Putin’s nephew, Viktor Khmarin, according to the report.
Among those described as “dependants of the state” are Putin’s daughters, Maria and Yekaterina, as well as his cousins Yevgeny and Igor Putin, Lyubov Shelomova and Lyubov Kruglova.
Expanding influence
The network extends beyond direct family.
Igor Zelensky, who partners with Putin’s daughter Yekaterina Tikhonova, is said to be overseeing a theatre construction project in occupied Sevastopol.
Meanwhile, Vsevolod Kharchov — father of Alisa Kharchova — works for the state propaganda organisation Dialog.
These appointments, Proekt said, illustrate how Putin’s relatives and associates have embedded themselves across the Russian state apparatus and its economic core.
Repeated crackdowns
Founded in 2018 by journalist Roman Badanin, Proekt has faced repeated crackdowns from Russian authorities.
In 2021, prosecutors declared the outlet “undesirable”, forcing its closure. Its team later launched a new publication, Agentstvo, to continue reporting while evading state persecution.
Reuters wrote at the time, that Badanin fled Russia because of the authorities targeting his outlet.
In March 2022, Proekt returned under its original name.
Sources: Proekt, Ukrainska Pravda, Reuters, BBC, AP
This article is made and published by Jens Asbjørn Bogen, who may have used AI in the preparation
