Vladimir Putin trying to bolster support for war using this family member: Who is Anna Tsivilyova?

Russian President Vladimir Putin is seemingly trying to increase support for his war in Ukraine amid reports he's losing power in Russia. He has established a state fund to 'support the participants of the special military operation', which is called 'Defenders of the Fatherland'. But what’s interesting is who will lead it.

Anna Tsivilyova, who is married to Sergey Tsivilyov, the governor of the Kemerovo Oblast region in Russia, has been appointed as chair of the foundation. According to a report by investigative outlet Agentstvo in January 2022, Tsivilyova is the daughter of Putin’s cousin Yevgeny Mikhailovich.

The outlet has documents that prove Tsivilyova’s maiden name is in fact Putina, that she changed her last name to Loginova when she married psychiatristLev Loginov. In 2007, she changed her name again when she married Sergey Tsivilyov, the future governor of Kemerovo.

This means Tsivilyova is Putin’s great-niece. Here’s everything we know about her.

Putin's great-niece heading new foundation

According to Putin’s signed decree, the fund will offer support to the so-called 'combat veterans' who were involved in the 'special military operation' and discharged. It will also support the relatives of those killed in the war in Ukraine.

The document states that the fund is financed by the federal budget, voluntary donations, and 'other sources'.

Putin announced the creation of the fund in his state-of-the-nation speech in February 2023 to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. It came after Russians became increasingly vocal online in their criticism of the war effort, condemning the deaths of their loved ones.

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Who is Anna Tsivilyova?

Tsivilyova is the head of the Council for Social Care in Kemerovo Oblast, and is a member of the Council of the Eurasian Women's Forum under the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, according to her biography.

According to Agentstvo, Tsivilyova's first marriage to Loginov allowed authorities to 'hide' her connection to Putin.

Her family's life changed dramatically when Putin came into power. Tsivilyova moved to Moscow and she married Sergey.

In 2012, the couple also acquired a major stake in the coal company Kolmar, despite appearing to have had no prior involvement in the coal business. In addition, based on the revenue of the companies where they worked at the time, they couldn’t have been able to afford such a stake.

According to Agentstvo, the Tsivilyovs were given the shares by Putin’s close friend, billionaire Gennady Timchenko. The outlet also points out that while Kolmar has previously suffered 'enormous financial difficulties', recently, it has started to be given help from the government.

As Agentstvo writes:

The history of the Tsivilevs is just one example of feudal customs in contemporary Russia.

Sources used:

Ukrainska Pravda: 'Putin sets up fund to support veterans of war with Ukraine, headed by his niece'

Agentstvo: 'An investigation into how Vladimir Putin’s family got 2.6 million serfs and a billion-dollar business to boot'

Meduza: 'First lady of Kuzbass Anna Tsivilyova is not only married to a regional governor. She’s also related to Putin and owns a major stake in one of Russia’s biggest coal companies'