President Vladimir Putin’s daughters, Katerina Tikhonova and Maria Vorontsova, are slated to speak at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum this week, as per the event’s program.
Tikhonova, a tech executive, is listed as one of the speakers for a panel discussion on “the defense industry’s role in ensuring technological sovereignty” scheduled for Thursday.
Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, she was sanctioned by Washington for her involvement in activities supporting the Russian defense industry.
On the other hand, Vorontsova, a genetics researcher, is among the speakers for a panel focusing on “innovations and biofabrication” set for Friday, according to SPIEF’s program. Like Tikhonova, she is also subject to U.S. sanctions.
Although Putin has never publicly acknowledged Tikhonova, 37, and Vorontsova, 39, as his daughters, and their lives remain shrouded in secrecy by the Kremlin, this year marks the first time both daughters will be featured as speakers at SPIEF, according to independent political reporter Farida Rustamova.
Described as the “Russian Davos” and once attracting high-profile guests and investors worldwide, SPIEF has faced boycotts from Western countries following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
According to Bloomberg, this year’s list of SPIEF speakers includes offspring of the Kremlin elite, such as the daughter of former Defense Minister and current Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. Also featured are Kremlin Chief of Staff Anton Vaino’s son Alexander and the son of close Putin ally Boris Rotenberg.
Political analysts have observed the gradual ascent of these offspring of the Kremlin elite into positions of power and influence. Kinship is considered an “essential” factor as Putin endeavors to revitalize and invigorate the ruling class.
