# Leaked Records Suggest Vladimir Putin Has a Fourth Grandchild Reports indicate Katerina Tikhonova gave birth to a son with Igor Zelensky. - **Source:** [Meduza English](https://meduza.io/en) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/bd0cfbb4-8755-42dc-a0e4-f310d318e5f8 ## New Grandchild Reportedly Born Leaked civil registry records indicate that Katerina Tikhonova, the younger daughter of Vladimir Putin, gave birth to a son named Adrian. The child was born in Moscow on August 15, 2025. This development adds a fourth known grandchild to the Russian president’s family tree, expanding his private lineage further. ## Paternal Identity and Surname The child’s presumed father is choreographer Igor Zelensky, who maintains a relationship with Tikhonova. Despite this connection, the boy was registered under the surname Adrian Igorevich Tikhonov. This naming choice reflects the family's ongoing efforts to manage their public identity while navigating complex personal relationships and official documentation requirements. ## Delayed Birth Certificate Issuance The Central Clinical Hospital of the Presidential Property Management Directorate issued the initial birth record. However, the Chertanovo civil registry office did not issue an official birth certificate until July 10, 2026. This nearly year-long delay remains unexplained, though analysts suggest it may stem from privacy concerns or administrative complications. ## Speculation on Registration Delays Observers suggest the significant gap between the birth and the certificate issuance may be linked to a desire to conceal the child’s existence. Alternatively, the delay could have resulted from bureaucratic hurdles caused by the parents’ different surnames, Tikhonova and Zelensky, complicating the standard registration process for the newborn child. ## Tikhonova’s Personal History Katerina Tikhonova was previously married to businessman Kirill Shamalov in 2013, with their divorce confirmed in January 2018. Following this, she entered a relationship with Igor Zelensky, who served as the artistic director of the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich. The couple also shares a daughter named Elza, born in 2017. ## Broader Family Privacy Patterns Vladimir Putin maintains a strict policy of keeping his family members out of the public eye. This includes his sons with former gymnast Alina Kabaeva, whose lives remain largely shielded from media scrutiny. The president’s approach to his private life emphasizes extreme discretion regarding his children and his grandchildren. ## Existing Grandchildren Context Beyond Tikhonova’s children, Putin has two other grandchildren through his elder daughter, Maria Vorontsova. One child was fathered by her former husband, Dutch businessman Jorrit Faassen, while the other was fathered by Novatek manager Evgeny Nagorny. These familial connections highlight the diverse professional backgrounds within the president's extended family circle. ## Implications of Leaked Data The emergence of these civil registry records underscores the vulnerability of private data regarding high-profile Russian figures. By linking the president’s daughter to specific medical and registry documents, the leak challenges the state's control over the family narrative. Such disclosures provide rare insights into the private lives of Russia's elite. ## Sources covering this story - https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/11/12/leaked-records-suggest-vladimir-putin-likely-has-a-fourth-grandchild-the-boy-s-birth-was-not-officially-registered-for-nearly-a-year — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._