Ksenia Sobchak, known as Vladimir Putin’s ‘goddaughter,’ is reportedly looking to depart from Russia’s restrictive environment and has allegedly filed for residency in Spain. The 43-year-old, a prominent figure in the TV and political spheres, and a former Playboy model, is pursuing digital nomad status, which necessitates residing in Spain for over half of each year and fulfilling tax obligations there. While Sobchak, who once challenged Putin in the Russian presidential race and operates her own media platform, has not publicly addressed these claims, reports from Spain suggest that she has sought a residence permit for herself and her son, Platon, aged eight, with rumors circulating that she has already acquired a lavish property.
The potential relocation coincides with the escalating economic turmoil in Russia triggered by Putin’s military actions and Western sanctions, as well as a tightening of repression against dissent towards the regime. Sobchak currently holds a five-year EU Schengen visa from France, alongside Israeli and Russian passports, granting her the freedom to travel within Europe for up to 90 days per every six months. Speculation arose that Putin might be her godfather, as he attended her Orthodox christening during her childhood before assuming the presidency. Sobchak’s late father, Anatoly, who mentored Putin in his early political career during his tenure as the mayor of St. Petersburg, shared a close relationship with the Russian leader.
Despite being perceived as a figure aligned with the opposition, suspicions linger among Putin’s critics regarding Sobchak’s personal ties to the autocrat. Her bid for the presidency in 2018 was met with criticism, with many viewing her participation as a staged attempt to present a liberal alternative in what was perceived as a rigged election orchestrated by Putin. In 2023, Sobchak caused a stir by attending a controversial “naked party” alongside other public figures, drawing ire from Putin and subsequently issuing a public apology. However, unlike her fellow attendees, she did not face any repercussions for her actions.
Sobchak’s mother, Lyudmila Narusova, a 74-year-old Russian senator, frequently dissents against Putin’s oppressive policies, often casting lone votes against his measures. In a notable statement to the Novaya Gazeta Europe, Narusova expressed concerns about Putin’s mental state amid the ongoing conflict and cautioned that he would be reluctant to relinquish power. She emphasized the existence of a silent cohort of individuals who share her sentiments but are hesitant to voice their dissent openly.