The daughters of Russian oligarchs have always been known for their spoilt behaviour and luxurious lifestyle. But with the recent collapse of the Russian economy, many of these young women are finding themselves struggling to maintain their lavish lifestyles. Some have even had to sell off their expensive belongings to make ends meet. So what is life like for the daughters of Russia’s richest men?
Rich And Spoilt Daughters Of Russian Oligarchs
While some of the richest men in Russia were busy moving their mega-yachts out of sight and selling off assets to escape the sanctions, their offspring were also making public statements.
The offspring of these oligarchs, who are among the most influential figures in Russia, typically occupy their free time with activities unrelated to geopolitics.
Designer purses, private jets, sunset cocktails, and boxing workouts on the pool deck may all be seen on their Instagram profiles.
However, some of the young elite decided to speak up when President Vladimir Putin started to sound the war drums.
The extravagant lifestyles supported by Russia’s purported kleptocracy are not limited to the offspring of oligarchs.
Influencers, role models, and political ancestors of Russia are all carefully endorsing Ukraine.
Who are the super-rich youths of Russia?
Roman Abramovich, a former governor and steadfast Putin loyalist who built his wealth in oil and aluminum following the fall of the Soviet Union, is one of the most recent Russian oligarchs to be targeted by Western sanctions.
The US President Joe Biden’s “kleptocapture taskforce” has set its eyes on his 162-meter super yacht Eclipse and Boeing 767 private plane, and the UK has placed a travel ban and asset freeze, preventing the sale of one of his greatest belongings, Chelsea Football Club.
Dmitry Peskov, the president’s press secretary, is one of Vladimir Putin’s inner circle.
As a Kremlin spokesman, Peskov has been one of Russia’s most outspoken supporters of the conflict in Ukraine, defending both the invasion and the detention of thousands of anti-war demonstrators.
Elizaveta Peskova, 24, however, spoke out against the invasion as her father Peskov was preparing for it with the simple but impactful phrase HET BONHE, which translates to “no to war.”
Tatyana Yumasheva was a member of the close-knit group that her father Boris Yeltsin formed to assist in the 1990s in electing Vladimir Putin as president. This inner group was allegedly promised safety and prosperity in return.
The group, which also includes Polina Yumasheva and Polina’s estranged husband Oleg Deripaska, a metals tycoon who has also been listed in the US and UK sanction lists, is led by her husband Valentin Yumashev, a powerful adviser to Putin.
Masha Yumasheva, the 19-year-old daughter of Tatyana and Valentin, followed in her mother’s footsteps by sharing a video from a London anti-war rally alongside her own HET BONHE message.
Is What They Say On Social Media A Black Square Moment Or Something Else?
The statements have frequently only said “no to war” in many instances. Many more things have been said by Ksenia Sobchak.
Sobchak, a reality TV host, and socialite, first gained notoriety in the early 2000s. She is the daughter of former St. Petersburg mayor Anatoly Sobchak and Russian senator Lyudmilla Narusova.
Sobchak dabbled in acting and music before switching to journalism and eventually politics. In the 2018 election, she became the youngest candidate for president of Russia, taking on Putin.
Some questioned Sobchak’s loyalty to the Kremlin because of her father’s close mentorship connection with Putin, while others criticized her campaign as a publicity stunt for “the Paris Hilton of Russia” due to her father’s close ties with the Russian leader.
What Is At Risk For Russia’s Wealthy Youth?
Many of the wealthiest Russian heirs and heiresses reside abroad. Professional equestrian Sofia Abramovich splits her time between Sussex and London.
Elizaveta Peskova, meantime, completed her studies in Paris before moving to Brussels to work as an intern for a right-leaning MEP.
Anyone who speaks out against Vladimir Putin’s war may find some protection in being outside the reach of Russian authorities.
But sending the kids of alleged billionaires home is welcomed by European governments.
One suggestion put out by a forensic accountant and political activist Nikita Kulachenkov was to revoke residency permits so that people are compelled to return to Russia.
She said to Forbes magazine, “That would be painful.”
Additionally, the way of life of those whose parents are under US, EU, or UK sanctions is in jeopardy.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is being urged by a number of British MPs to expel oligarchs’ kids from the country’s top schools.
Tom Tugendhat, chair of the House of Commons foreign affairs committee, told the UK Daily Mail that “Putin’s princelings are enjoying education in the finest parts of our country while he destroys Ukrainian schools.”
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