A leaked photograph of a boy identified as Vladimir Putin’s “secret son,” reportedly named Ivan Vladimirovich Putin, has recently stirred international attention. According to The Mirror, the image was shared by a Russian anti-Kremlin Telegram channel, VChK-OGPU. The photo, which depicts a 10-year-old boy, is believed to be the first publicly seen image of the child, who is allegedly the son of Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva. The child has reportedly been kept out of the public eye and shielded from everyday life in Russia.

According to VChK-OGPU, Ivan is possibly “the most secret and probably the loneliest boy in Russia.” The outlet claims the child lives a life of extreme seclusion, under tight security, and interacts only with governesses, tutors, and bodyguards, rather than with children his own age. Observers noted that the child in the photograph bears a resemblance to a young Vladimir Putin.

Life Behind Palace Walls

The Telegram channel further alleges that Ivan resides within the fortified walls of a high-security palace, presumably one of Putin’s luxurious residences such as the one located near Lake Valdai. This highly restricted environment reportedly isolates him from the broader world, raising concerns about the child's psychological well-being due to lack of social interaction.

Though no official acknowledgment has been made by the Kremlin regarding Ivan’s existence, the image has reignited long-standing rumors about Putin's personal life and his purported efforts to keep his children out of the spotlight.

Putin’s Known Daughters and Public Silence

Officially, Vladimir Putin has two acknowledged daughters from his former marriage to Lyudmila Shkrebneva: Maria and Katerina. Born in the mid-1980s, Maria was born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) and Katerina in Dresden, Germany. The sisters are now in their thirties and have led notably private lives, largely avoiding public exposure.

Both daughters reportedly studied under aliases to protect their identities. Maria is believed to have pursued a career in medical research after studying biology, while Katerina studied Asian Studies and later became known for her work in acrobatic dance and as a tech entrepreneur.

Lyudmila, Putin’s ex-wife, once stated on a government website that Putin was deeply affectionate toward their children. “Not all fathers are as loving with their children as he is,” she reportedly said, adding, “And he has always spoiled them, while I was the one who had to discipline them.”

Rumored Children from Other Relationships

In addition to Ivan, there are reports suggesting that Putin and Alina Kabaeva may have another son, possibly named Vladimir Jr. The children are said to reside in the same heavily guarded estate at Valdai. These rumors have never been officially confirmed, and details remain scarce due to the Kremlin’s tight control over any information regarding Putin’s personal affairs.

Another widely circulated rumor involves a daughter believed to be the result of a relationship between Putin and Svetlana Krivonogikh, a former cleaning woman who later became wealthy and gained a prominent lifestyle. This daughter’s identity is also shrouded in mystery, and the Kremlin has neither confirmed nor denied the claims.

Privacy, Power, and Speculation

Putin has consistently kept his family life out of the public domain, contributing to speculation and intrigue over the years. The release of the photograph of Ivan Vladimirovich Putin adds a new layer to ongoing questions about the Russian leader’s private affairs. While many of these claims remain unverified, they highlight the stark contrast between Putin’s tightly controlled public persona and the secretive world in which his alleged children live.