Ksenia Sobchak, known as Vladimir Putin’s ‘goddaughter,’ is reportedly looking to depart from Russia and has allegedly submitted a residency application in Spain. Sobchak, a well-known TV host, politician, and influencer who previously appeared in Playboy, is pursuing digital nomad status, requiring her to reside in Spain for over half of each year and fulfill tax obligations in the country. The 43-year-old, who once challenged Putin for the Russian presidency and manages her media platform, has refrained from making any public statements.
Recent reports from Spain suggest that Sobchak has sought a residence permit for herself and her eight-year-old son, Platon, with rumors circulating that she has already purchased a luxurious property. This move coincides with economic turmoil in Russia due to Putin’s military actions and international sanctions, along with escalating constraints on dissent against the authoritarian regime.
Sobchak holds a five-year EU Schengen visa from France, an Israeli passport, in addition to her Russian citizenship, granting her the freedom to travel within Europe for a maximum of 90 days every six months. Speculations arose about Putin being her godfather after attending her Orthodox christening as a child before assuming the presidency.
Her late father, Anatoly, a close associate of Putin, played a significant role in the Russian leader’s political career by providing his initial opportunity in politics during his tenure as mayor of St. Petersburg. Despite Sobchak’s perceived opposition stance, skeptics among Putin’s adversaries question her allegiances, suspecting she maintains a personal relationship with the dictator.
During the 2018 presidential election, Sobchak’s candidacy was criticized as a mere facade to present a liberal alternative in a controversial electoral process widely viewed as rigged. Her participation was labeled a “farce.”
In 2023, she generated controversy by attending a provocative event dubbed a “naked party” alongside other public figures, drawing ire from Putin and subsequently issuing a formal apology. However, unlike other attendees, she faced no repercussions.
Sobchak’s mother, Lyudmila Narusova, a 74-year-old Russian senator, has a history of dissenting against Putin’s autocratic policies, often voting in isolation against repressive measures. In a recent interview with Novaya Gazeta Europe, she expressed concerns about Putin’s mental state amidst ongoing conflicts and cautioned about his reluctance to relinquish power.
“I’m the sole dissenting voter,” she stated. “Yet, there are numerous individuals who share my views but fear voicing them openly.”
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