Russian president Vladimir Putin has two secret sons who live an isolated life of luxury in a heavily-guarded mansion, according to an investigative report by the Dossier Centre. The website claims that Ivan, nine, and Vladimir Jr, five, spend most of the year at their father's vast residence near Lake Valdai, northwest of Moscow.
The boys' mother is Alina Kabaeva, a former Olympic rhythmic gymnast whose relationship with Putin has been an open secret in Russia for more than a decade. The report, compiled with the help of a staff member at the Valdai residence, describes the children as surrounded by governesses, nannies, teachers and officers from the Kremlin Federal Guard. They are said to play mostly alone or with adults, and only see their parents late at night.
The mansion features ponies, rabbits and a St Bernard dog cared for by Kremlin guards. The children reportedly annoy Putin with Disney cartoon impressions. Ivan was born in spring 2015 at a clinic in Lugano, Switzerland, while Vladimir Jr was born in spring 2019 in Moscow. Putin has never directly referenced the boys, but recently told schoolchildren that members of his family speak Chinese.
Staff at the compound are barred from leaving the grounds but have access to a gym and tennis court, with salaries of £6,500 a month. The Dossier Centre noted high staff turnover. The boys cannot be found in government databases and have cover documents typically used for spies. They do not attend school or fly on regular flights, instead travelling by private jet or armoured train.
