Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly ordered his two eldest daughters to live with him in his bunker palace in Valdai, approximately 230 miles northwest of Moscow, amid heightened fears of assassination attempts. The directive was revealed by an investigation from We Can Explain.
Daughters and Grandchildren Relocate to Fortified Complex
Maria Vorontsova, 41, and Katerina Tikhonova, 39, along with their three children, have moved into the highly guarded forest palace complex. Vorontsova, an endocrinologist leading Putin's longevity drive, brought her two children, while Tikhonova, a former rock dancer who now controls Russian science and technology, moved in with her son. The dictator already shares the palace with his mistress Alina Kabaeva, 43, and their two sons, Ivan, 11, and Vladimir, six.
Heightened Security Measures
Putin has also ordered urgent checks on Russia's complex surveillance camera network, fearing it could be hacked by enemies to track his movements. This concern follows the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reportedly after security cameras were compromised. The Valdai complex is guarded by dozens of air defense systems, with 27 anti-aircraft towers now in place—up from just seven two years ago. The towers are arranged in two rings around the mansion, mimicking Moscow's defenses. The fortress also includes a secret bunker and is strategically located on a peninsula between two lakes, surrounded by dense forest.
Family Dynamics
Putin's alleged secret daughter Luiza Rozova, 23, does not live in the fortified palace and is primarily based in Paris. Her mother is Svetlana Krivinogikh, 51, a former cleaner turned wealthy bank director and strip club owner. Vorontsova and Tikhonova are the daughters of Putin's ex-wife Lyudmila Putina, from whom he divorced in 2014. The surveillance camera system was temporarily shut down and hermetically sealed off from the internet before being restored after security checks, according to the Financial Times.
