Latest news with #GQRussia
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Putin's suspected daughter found working in anti-war galleries in Paris
Nastya Rodionova, a Russian writer and artist who has been based in Paris since 2022, had only met gallery manager Luiza Rozova in passing at events before she learned who the 22-year-old's parents were. Described by a number of people as a 'very nice and well-mannered girl,' Rozova is the daughter of a Russian woman named Svetlana Krivonogikh — and, according to investigative journalists, Russian President Vladimir Putin. After learning about Rozova's family background, Rodionova took to social media on June 4 to share it, highlighting the fact that the galleries where Rozova works primarily showcase Russian and Ukrainian anti-war art. The post quickly went viral — but the reactions were divided. Some members of the Russian emigre community argued Rozova had no control over who her parents are and it shouldn't be held against her. Others agreed it was ethically questionable that a family member of the Kremlin leader worked in anti-war art galleries as Russia was waging war against Ukraine, and praised the artist for revealing it. 'We are talking about artists (showcased in the galleries) who fled the regime,' Rodionova told the Kyiv Independent. '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 (to learn about her).' The Kyiv Independent reached out to Rozova for comment through her employer. He acknowledged that he had passed along the request for comment and 'if she considers it possible to answer' she would do so. As of publication, Rozova has not replied. In most of Rozova's photos that were posted on social media or taken by media outlets for interviews, her face is deliberately cropped or turned away — a subtle yet telling choice, which some believe is due to her uncanny resemblance to the Russian leader. In the few photos of Rozova where her face is fully visible, she does bear unmistakable resemblance to Putin. 'Listen, 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,' she told GQ Russia in 2021. In the interview, Rozova wasn't directly asked whether she was related to the Russian leader. Rozova first attracted international attention in 2020, when the independent Russian investigative outlet Proekt published an expose detailing the substantial wealth of her mother, Svetlana Krivonogikh, who at the time possessed over $100 million in assets. Proekt's investigation revealed Krivonogikh's longstanding ties to Putin and noted that her daughter Rozova 'bears an uncanny resemblance' to the Russian leader, fueling the widespread speculation about her parentage. In the rare instances that Rozova has granted media interviews since then, she has never outright acknowledged or denied that Putin is her father. Dmitri Dolinski — director of the L Association, which oversees both Studio Albatros and the L Galerie where Rozova is employed — confirmed to Rodionova that Rozova's mother is Krivonogikh, she said. Krivonogikh was sanctioned by the U.K. in 2023 due to her stake in Bank Rossiya, which has, among other things, supported investments in Russian-occupied Crimea following the illegal annexation of 2014. In her original viral social media post, the Russian artist Rodionova stressed the importance of Studio Albatros and L Galerie as cultural spaces showcasing Russian and Ukrainian anti-war artists — and why that made the presence of the Kremlin leader's alleged daughter there problematic. 'In the context of Russia's ongoing war of aggression, 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. Rodionova previously participated in some gallery events but has chosen to no longer do so. 'We must know who we are working with and make informed decisions about whether we are okay with (exhibiting art there). My personal answer in this case is no.' Given the Russian and Ukrainian artists' outspoken anti-war positions, there is a potential risk associated with disclosing their personal information to L Association — particularly given the lack of clarity around Rozova's ties to the Russian regime. One artist who collaborated with the gallery had even welcomed Rozova into their home without knowing her family connections, Rodionova added. When Rodionova first asked about Rozova's background, Dolinski reportedly told her that he does not look into his employees' families. At the same time, Rodionova noted, it appears he hired Rozova while knowing who her mother was and the fact that her mother was already subject to U.K. sanctions. Amid the ongoing controversy, the L Association appears to be standing behind Rozova. 'We regret that some voices have called for forms of stigmatization or 'collective punishment,' and we remind everyone that no one should be judged by their origins, birthplace, heritage, or any other criteria beyond their control. This is a red line we will not cross,' the organization wrote on Facebook on June 9, although they didn't mention Rozova by name. In response to Rodionova's post, a number of Russian emigres argued in the comments that Rozova should not be held accountable for the crimes of her alleged father. They claimed she has made a public anti-war stance in social media — although her actual social media account is disputed — and pointed to her residence in Paris as evidence that she is unlikely part of Putin's close inner circle. The exact number of Putin's children remains unconfirmed. It's known that he has two daughters from his marriage to Lyudmila Putina, who he divorced in 2014. In 2024, the Russian investigative outlet Dossier Center reported that he also has two young sons with Alina Kabaeva, a former Olympic gymnast long rumored to be his partner. The two boys reportedly live in Putin's residence on Lake Valdai in northwestern Russia. Since coming forward with her revelation about Putin's alleged daughter Rozova, Rodionova told the Kyiv Independent that she has dealt not only with public slander but also threats made against her. 'I want to believe that these people have expressed their personal opinion but lots of messages were suspiciously similar,' she said, suggesting that there was an organized campaign of retaliation. Rodionova pushed back against those attacking her for raising questions about Rozova's parentage, arguing that they were distorting the reasons behind her decision. Regardless of Rozova's personal politics or the extent to which she has or hasn't benefited from the Russian regime, exiled artists like Rodionova emphasize that the ongoing dangers posed by Russia's full-scale war require extra caution and transparency when it comes to who is welcomed into anti-war cultural spaces. Read also: Controversial Russian literature prize sparks debate on separating culture from war crimes Hi there, it's Kate Tsurkan, thanks for reading this article. The story of Putin's alleged daughter working in anti-war art galleries in Paris is one of those crazy stories that make you realize culture and politics are never that far removed from each other, especially when it comes to Russia's war against Ukraine. I hope by reading this article you also reflected on questions of accountability, transparency, and trust during wartime. If you like reading this sort of material, please consider supporting us by becoming a paid member of the Kyiv Independent today. We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
News18
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Putin's 'Secret' Daughter Working At Anti-War Art Gallery In Paris, Claims Russian Artist
Last Updated: Elizaveta Krivonogikh appeared in an interview with GQ Russia where she dodged questions about her resemblance to Putin. Elizaveta Krivonogikh, believed to be the 'secret' daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is reportedly working under a new identity at two Parisian art galleries known for showcasing anti-war Russian and Ukrainian art, as per Russian artist and writer Nastya Rodionova. Nastya Rodionova, who fled Russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and was granted asylum in France in 2022, made the claims in a Facebook post in which she wrote that she had heard rumors that Elizaveta Krivonogikh, now going by the name 'Elizaveta Rudnova," was working as a gallery manager at Studio Albatros and L Galerie, both operated by the Paris-based L Association. These galleries are known for hosting exhibitions critical of Russia's war in Ukraine. The artist said the rumor was confirmed by a fellow artist who recognized the gallery manager and matched her description to Elizaveta Krivonogikh. Nastya Rodionova later confronted L Association president Dmitri Dolinski about the woman's identity. Dmitri Dolinski reportedly told her he does not inquire about his staff's family backgrounds and emphasized that 'children are not responsible for their parents," but confirmed the manager's last name was 'Rudnova." Investigative outlet Agentstvo reported last year that 'Elizaveta Olegovna Rudnova" was enrolled in a cultural management program at Paris's ICART university. Travel records obtained by Agentstvo show Nastya Rudnova shares the same birthdate as Elizaveta Krivonogikh. The outlet also noted that the name 'Rudnova" may be a reference to Oleg Rudnov, a late Putin associate whose name has appeared in real estate transactions linked to Krivonogikh's mother, Svetlana Krivonogikh. Proekt, the Russian investigative media outlet banned by the Kremlin, first identified Elizaveta Krivonogikh in 2020, describing her as the daughter of Svetlana Krivonogikh- a millionaire allegedly linked romantically to Vladimir Putin. The outlet cited physical resemblance and circumstantial evidence to claim that Elizaveta Krivonogikh is Vladimir Putin's biological daughter, a claim the Kremlin dismissed as 'unfounded." Elizaveta Krivonogikh later appeared in a veiled interview with GQ Russia under the pseudonym 'Luiza Rozova," where she dodged questions about her resemblance to Putin, saying 'many people look like Mr. Putin." Dolinski later confirmed to independent outlet Meduza that the woman working at the galleries is indeed Svetlana Krivonogikh's daughter. He acknowledged her physical resemblance to past images of Putin's alleged child and said she is completing an internship as part of her studies. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
New York Times
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
A Goth Band's Journey From Screams to Whispers
When IC3PEAK released its last album, 'Kiss of Death,' the record had all the characteristics that had made the band into a boogeyman in Russia and led authorities to try and shut down its shows: death-obsessed lyrics, anti-state provocations and bloodcurdling screams. But on the Russian duo's new album, 'Coming Home,' released Friday, the vibe has drastically changed. The harsh electro and heavy metal sounds are largely gone. Instead the band's vocalist, Nastya Kreslina, gently coos and whispers over melodic indie rock. Kreslina said that there was a simple explanation for the shift: 'Everything in our lives has changed.' Three years ago, Kreslina left Moscow just days after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ever since, Kreslina and her bandmate, Nikolay Kostylev, have been coping with the emotional and creative fallout of the conflict. Kreslina said she used to scream so that Russian listeners would notice her. Now, she said, a quiet voice felt like the only way to get 'noticed among all the screaming.' Since leaving Russia, Kreslina has wandered between Paris, Los Angeles, Istanbul and Turin, Italy, among other cities; Kostylev now lives in Berlin. Kreslina has an apartment in Riga, Latvia, but she said it didn't feel like a permanent address. Since leaving Russia, she said, she still hadn't found a place that 'gave a feeling of home.' Exiled Russian musicians often struggle to rebuild their careers abroad. Distanced from their domestic fan base and, in some cases, designated traitors by their government, many wind up playing small concerts to other émigrés. This is particularly true of mainstream pop acts, but some alternative groups, like IC3PEAK and the deathcore band Slaughter to Prevail, have maintained or even grown in popularity from abroad, even as Russia's cultural cachet has nose-dived. Kostylev said that, based on streaming data, he estimated that about 70 percent of IC3PEAK's fans live outside Russia, so going into exile had not had a significant financial impact. 'In a way we're lucky,' he said: 'We can have personal crises, because we have food on the table.' The band's distinctive look was a key part of its international appeal, said Michael Idov, a former editor-in-chief of GQ Russia who lives in the United States. The band wears all-black with white face paint and its videos often look like horror movies, with zombies and monsters. Idov said those images appealed to social media users searching out unusual acts online, as well as music fans. 'They've always felt ripe for crossover,' he said. During a joint interview with Kreslina in a restaurant on Riga's outskirts, Kostylev said the duo intended to maintain its bold fashion sense, even as it pivots to gentler music. For the 'Coming Home' album campaign, the duo dress as Goth angels in tracksuits. Formed in 2013, when Kreslina and Kostylev were at college in Moscow, IC3PEAK had run-ins with Russian authorities from its early days. In 2018, it released 'Death No More' a track whose video features the band members setting themselves alight in front of a government building in Moscow while Kreslina sings 'All Russia is watching me / Let it all burn.' Around that time, Kostylev said, police officers and security service agents tried to shut down many IC3PEAK shows. He and Kreslina were detained and spied on, Kostylev added. (The F.S.B. did not respond to a request for comment.) At first, the pair found the attention 'fun,' Kostylev said, and every performance felt 'like showing the middle finger' to the authorities. But over time, paranoia grew, and Kostylev left Russia before the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine began because he had found the atmosphere stifling. Nadya Tolokonnikova, a founder of the art collective Pussy Riot, who also had trouble with the Russian authorities and now also lives in exile, said she had first seen IC3PEAK in Moscow around 2018, at a gig with 'thousands of teenage girls dancing and screaming along.' IC3PEAK was important as 'one of the first artists' in Russia to speak openly about state repression, Tolokonnikova added. 'They're more than a band,' she said: 'They build a world.' 'Coming Home' doesn't feature any openly political tracks, though there are subtle allusions to the war in Ukraine and the experience of exile. On 'Where is My Home?,' for instance, Kreslina said she was singing from the perspective of a soldier returning from a foreign battlefield to find that their country had changed. 'There is my home / But where is my home?' she sings. Both Kreslina and Kostylev said they wanted to reach a Russian audience with the new album, as well as listeners in the West. They had agonized for months over whether to pull their music from streaming services in Russia, Kreslina added, but decided not to so they could maintain a connection with fans there who oppose the government. What long-term IC3PEAK enthusiasts will make of the band's new direction, Kostylev seemed unsure. 'A lot of fans will find it confusing,' he said, 'but we can't do anything about that. We're just doing what we feel.'
