Camilla Jessen
The presence of a young woman with rumored ties to Vladimir Putin in a Paris art space has sparked heated debate.
When Nastya Rodionova discovered who was working behind the scenes at two Parisian anti-war galleries, she knew she couldn’t stay silent.
The Russian writer and artist had occasionally crossed paths with Luiza Rozova, a soft-spoken and well-mannered 22-year-old, but it wasn’t until this June that she learned Rozova’s rumored family background.
Rozova is widely believed to be the daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Rodionova went public with the revelation on June 4 via social media, setting off a firestorm in the Russian exile community.
The controversy revolves around Rozova’s role at Studio Albatros and L Galerie, two galleries that showcase works by Russian and Ukrainian artists who have fled or oppose Putin’s war in Ukraine.
Divided Reactions
Rodionova’s disclosure quickly divided opinions.
Some argued Rozova should not be judged for the identity of her parents, emphasizing that children cannot choose their lineage.
Others saw her employment at anti-war cultural institutions as a troubling ethical dilemma, considering the Kremlin’s ongoing war against Ukraine and its persecution of many of the artists featured at the galleries.
“We are talking about artists who fled the regime. Many of them are in danger. They shared all their personal information with the gallery staff without knowing who works there — it upset them very much,” Rodionova told The Kyiv Independent.
Despite requests for comment, Rozova has not responded publicly to the allegations.
An Unmistakable Resemblance
Rozova has long been the subject of speculation about her parentage.
In most public photos, her face is partially obscured. Many interpret this detail as an attempt to downplay her resemblance to Putin.
In 2021, she told GQ Russia: “Judging by (Putin’s) younger photos — probably, yes, I do look like him. But as it turns out, there are actually a lot of people who resemble Vladimir Vladimirovich.”
Rozova first drew international attention in 2020 when Russian investigative outlet Proekt published an exposé detailing the immense wealth of her mother, Svetlana Krivonogikh, who reportedly holds assets exceeding $100 million and maintains long-standing ties to Putin.
Proekt noted the striking similarity between Rozova and Putin, fueling further speculation.
While Rozova has never publicly confirmed or denied the identity of her father, her mother’s connections to Putin are well documented.
Krivonogikh was sanctioned by the U.K. in 2023 for her financial involvement in Bank Rossiya, which has supported Russian activities in occupied Crimea since its annexation in 2014.
Transparency Concerns for Exiled Artists
Rodionova’s main concern isn’t merely Rozova’s family ties but the safety of the artists involved.
Many have shared personal information with the galleries, believing them to be safe spaces free from Kremlin influence. The fact that the daughter of Russia’s leader might be involved behind the scenes raised alarm bells for those who escaped the very regime Rozova is linked to.
“People organizing any public events involving anti-war artists — and in some cases direct victims of the regime — must act with maximum transparency and sensitivity,” Rodionova wrote in her viral post.
She has since chosen to no longer participate in events hosted by Studio Albatros and L Galerie.
One artist, according to Rodionova, even welcomed Rozova into their home, entirely unaware of her family background.
When questioned, gallery director Dmitri Dolinski reportedly told Rodionova that he does not investigate his employees’ family histories, though she claims he was aware of Krivonogikh’s identity and sanctions status prior to hiring Rozova.
The Gallery Stands Firm
Amid the growing controversy, the L Association — the organization overseeing both galleries — has defended its decision to continue employing Rozova.
In a statement on Facebook on June 9, the organization condemned any form of “stigmatization or collective punishment,” emphasizing that “no one should be judged by their origins, birthplace, heritage, or any other criteria beyond their control.” Rozova was not mentioned by name.
Some Russian expatriates have echoed this sentiment, pointing to her apparent anti-war stance on disputed social media accounts and her decision to live in Paris rather than inside Putin’s inner circle.
The exact number of Putin’s children remains a mystery.
While two daughters from his marriage to Lyudmila Putina are publicly acknowledged, the investigative outlet Dossier Center reported in 2024 that Putin also has two young sons with former Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva.
These sons reportedly reside in a heavily guarded compound on Lake Valdai.
Since going public, Rodionova has faced online harassment and threats, which she believes may be part of a coordinated retaliation effort.
“I want to believe that these people have expressed their personal opinion, but lots of messages were suspiciously similar,” she told The Kyiv Independent.