Ksenia Sobchak, known as Vladimir Putin’s ‘goddaughter,’ is reportedly pursuing residency in Spain as she looks to depart from the oppressive environment in Russia. The 43-year-old media personality, who has experience in television presenting and politics, as well as a past appearance in Playboy, is aiming for digital nomad status, requiring her to reside in Spain for the majority of each year and fulfill tax obligations in the country. While Sobchak, who previously challenged Putin in the Russian presidential race and manages her own media platform, has not made any official statements regarding this move, reports in Spain suggest that she has applied for residency for herself and her eight-year-old son Platon, potentially already securing a luxurious property.
This development coincides with growing economic instability in Russia stemming from Putin’s military actions and sanctions imposed by Western nations, amidst escalating restrictions on dissent against the authoritarian leader. Sobchak currently holds a five-year EU Schengen visa from France, in addition to passports from Israel and Russia, granting her the ability to travel across Europe for up to 90 days within a six-month period. Speculation surrounds her relationship with Putin, given her father Anatoly’s close ties to the Russian president, with rumors suggesting Putin served as her godfather after attending her Orthodox christening in her youth.
Despite being viewed as a figure aligned with opposition movements, doubts persist among Putin’s critics regarding Sobchak’s true allegiances, suspecting ongoing personal connections to the ruler. Her participation in the 2018 presidential election was met with criticism, with detractors dismissing her candidacy as a staged attempt to portray a semblance of liberal opposition within Putin’s orchestrated electoral process. Moreover, a controversial incident in 2023 involving Sobchak attending a scandalous gathering alongside celebrities and subsequently issuing an apology following Putin’s disapproval further fueled skepticism about her political motives.
Sobchak’s mother, Lyudmila Narusova, a 74-year-old Russian senator, has notably dissented against Putin’s repressive policies, frequently standing alone in opposition within the legislative body. Narusova’s vocal criticisms of Putin’s military decisions and concerns over his reluctance to relinquish power have garnered attention, with her remarks underscoring a climate of fear and reluctance among those who share her views but hesitate to openly express dissent.