Investigation Alleges Putin's Lover Received Millions in Palace Surplus
A new investigation has made explosive claims that Vladimir Putin's rumoured lover, former Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, was handed a staggering £63 million in leftover funds from the construction of a lavish palace allegedly built for the Russian leader. The report, based on findings from the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny's organisation, FBK, suggests that surplus cash from the billion-pound project was funnelled to Kabaeva through charitable donations.
The Alleged Palace and Its Funding
The luxury palace, located in the southern town of Gelendzhik overlooking the Black Sea, was first exposed in 2021. Despite denials from Putin and the Kremlin, the property is officially owned by a firm named 'Investment Solutions', whose shareholders are three of Putin's closest associates: businessman Ilham Rahimov, former classmate Viktor Khmarin, and lawyer Nikolai Egorov. According to FBK, bank records reveal that the company received loans from offshore entities based in the British Virgin Islands to finance the construction.
When the palace was completed in 2023, a surplus of 6.5 billion rubles, equivalent to approximately £63 million, remained from these loans. The investigation alleges that this leftover money was not returned or accounted for but instead transferred to charities linked to Kabaeva.
Charitable Donations Under Scrutiny
Immediately after the palace's completion, a lump sum of 3 billion rubles, roughly £29 million, was reportedly donated to the Alina Kabaeva Charitable Foundation. This charity ostensibly supports female athletes and contributed to restoring a church in occupied Crimea. However, FBK claims that these projects cost only a fraction of the donated billions, with the majority allegedly hidden away in deposit accounts.
The remaining 3.5 billion rubles, about £34 million, was allegedly sent to another charity called Heavenly Grace, which Kabaeva is associated with. Independent Russian news site Meduza reported that this non-profit spent £288,000 at the Imperial Peterhof luxury watch factory. FBK further alleges that some funds were used for gymnastics camps, but the group contends this was merely a cover to allow Kabaeva's children, rumoured to be Putin's, to socialise with other kids. The investigation describes these donations as "slush funds" for Putin's secret lover.
Background on the Alleged Relationship
Alina Kabaeva, 42, is a former Olympic gymnast turned Russian politician who has been rumoured to be in a relationship with Putin since 2008. She is reportedly the mother of two boys, Ivan, 11, and Vladimir, six, though neither has publicly confirmed their relationship with the Russian leader. The couple has allegedly maintained a quiet relationship for nearly two decades, with Kabaeva often described as Putin's "secret lover".
Extravagant Features of the Palace
The £1 billion clifftop palace is said to be even larger than Buckingham Palace and includes extravagant amenities such as its own church, ice rink, casino, and hookah lounge. Leaked diagrams suggest that Putin ordered the construction of tunnels lying about 50 metres below the surface, with an underground complex spanning approximately 6,500 square feet. These features underscore the opulence of the property, which has been a focal point of corruption allegations against the Russian leader.
The investigation by FBK highlights ongoing concerns about financial misconduct and the use of offshore entities to fund luxurious projects for Putin's inner circle. As these claims circulate, they add to the scrutiny of Putin's regime and its alleged misuse of resources.
