In a tense and emotional encounter in Paris, the secret daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to apologise for her father's ongoing war in Ukraine when confronted by a journalist whose brother was killed in the conflict.
A Confrontation in the French Capital
Luiza Rozova, 22, whose real name is Elizaveta Krivonogikh, was approached by Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Sviatnenko while in the European city where she now resides. Sviatnenko, who works for TSN, lost his brother Volodymyr on November 1 when a Russian ballistic missile struck his troop's base, according to reports from Ukrainska Pravda.
The journalist directly challenged Luiza, stating: "Three weeks ago, your father killed my brother. Say something! Do you support his policies?" When Luiza initially protested that she was not being filmed with permission, Sviatnenko pointed out the stark reality in his homeland, saying: "We didn't give our permission for this either," referring to the ongoing attacks.
An Expression of Regret and Helplessness
After repeated questioning about her stance on her father's actions, Luiza responded, "What does that have to do with me?" Sviatnenko then suggested she call Putin and tell him to stop the attacks, an idea she appeared to brush aside.
The exchange took a further poignant turn when the journalist invited her to Kyiv, offering to buy her a plane ticket, before noting that no flights could enter Ukrainian airspace due to the war. Luiza's final response was one of apparent sorrow and powerlessness. "Unfortunately, I can't help you. I'm very sorry," she said.
She concluded the encounter by expressing regret: "I'm really sorry that this is happening. Unfortunately, I'm not responsible for this situation. I'm glad you had the courage to come up to me and talk."
The Shadow of a Powerful Father
Luiza is the daughter born from Putin's alleged extra-marital affair with Svetlana Krivonogikh, now a 50-year-old banker and striptease club owner who was once a cleaner. In France, Luiza uses the surname Rudnova, linked to a close friend of Putin.
Putin has never publicly acknowledged or denied paternity, and Russian state media is banned from mentioning her. However, earlier this year, Luiza broke her silence on Telegram, writing cryptically about a man who "took millions of lives and destroyed mine," in a post widely interpreted as criticism of her father's war.
She has previously hinted at fears of "consequences" for speaking out publicly against the regime. The war, which Russia launched in February 2022, has resulted in an estimated 60,000 to 100,000 deaths in Ukraine, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
Putin is also father to two daughters with his ex-wife, Lyudmila: Maria Faassen, 36, and Katerina Tikhonova, 35, who have largely remained out of the political spotlight.
