Anna Evgenievna Tsivilyova (Russian: Анна Евгеньевна Цивилёва, née Putina, Путина; born 9 May 1972) is a Russian government official. She is a first cousin once removed of president Vladimir Putin.

Anna Tsivilyova
Анна Цивилёва
Tsivilyova in 2024
Deputy Minister of Defence
Assumed office
14 June 2024
Prime MinisterMikhail Mishustin
Personal details
Born
Anna Evgenievna Putina

(1972-05-09) 9 May 1972 (age 52)
Ivanovo, RSFSR, USSR
SpouseSergey Tsivilyov
Children2
Alma materRUDN, RANEPA

In 2023, Putin made her chairperson of a state fund for veterans of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The following year, she was appointed deputy minister of defense.

Biography

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She was born on 9 May 1972 in Ivanovo to a family of surgeons. Her father was Yevgeny Mikhailovich Putin (1933–2024), a urologist and cousin of Vladimir Putin. She graduated from the Ivanovo State Medical Academy [ru] with a degree in psychiatry. From 1996, she worked as a psychiatrist at the Bogorodskoye Psychiatric Hospital in Ivanovo.[1][2][3][4]

After Vladimir Putin came to power, she moved to Moscow and began supplying medical equipment, working as a manager at the state-owned Medtekhsnab, and then at the private company Digimed.[2][3] Before 2023, Tsivilyova had no known military background or relationship to defence matters.[5]

On 3 April 2023, Putin appointed her chairperson of the newly-created State Fund for the Support of Participants in the Special Military Operation "Defenders of the Fatherland".[6][7]

On 17 June 2024, she was made a deputy minister of defence.[8][9][10] This appointment reportedly drew muted criticism within the Russian press for nepotism that "tested even Russian tolerance for corrupt practice."[11] On 17 August 2024, The UK Ministry of Defence reported that Tsivilyova had been promoted to the position of State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, while still maintaining her role as Deputy Defence Minister. In this new role, she is primarily responsible for the MoD's relationship with the Russian legislature and other government bodies.[12]

Family

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Tsivileva is married to Sergey Tsivilyov, a Russian energy minister and former governor of Kemerovo Oblast.[2]

Sanctions

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On 29 June 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Tsivilyova and her coal mining corporation, JSC Kolmar Group, were placed on the United Kingdom sanctions list for having "significantly benefitted" from their relationship with Putin.[13][14]

On 18 December 2023, Tsivilyova and the "Defenders of the Fatherland" foundation were sanctioned by the European Union.[15]

References

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  1. ^ ""Человек, получивший огромные активы". Кто такая Анна Цивилева – жена губернатора Кемеровской области и тайная племянница Путина" ["A person who received enormous assets". Who is Anna Tsivileva - wife of the governor of Kemerovo Oblast and Putin's secret niece]. Настоящее Время (in Russian). Current Time TV. 19 January 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Жена губернатора Кемеровской области Анна Цивилева — племянница Владимира Путина. И она владеет одной из крупнейших угольных компаний России Главное из расследования «Агентства»" [The Kemerovo region governor's wife Anna Tsivileva is Vladimir Putin's niece. And she owns one of Russia's largest coal companies — Main points from the Agency's investigation]. Meduza (in Russian). Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  3. ^ a b Badanin, Roman; Rubin, Mikhail; Maglov, Mikhail; Sukharev, Dmitry (19 January 2022). "Iron Masks. New Season • Agents.media". Proekt. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  4. ^ Лепехина, Елена (12 March 2024). "Умер двоюродный брат Путина" [Putin's cousin has died]. RTVI (in Russian). Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 28 August 2024". X.com. 9 September 2024.
  6. ^ ""Пришло две тысячи рублей с копейками"" ["Two thousand rubles and some kopecks arrived"]. iStories (in Russian). 9 May 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  7. ^ "Путин назначил родственницу главой госфонда "Защитники Отечества"" [Putin appoints relative as head of "Defenders of the Fatherland" state fund]. Радио Свобода (in Russian). Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Putin Promotes 'Cousin' in Latest Military Shake-Up". The Moscow Times. 17 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Putin appoints relative to defense ministry post in yet another shake-up". The Kyiv Independent. 17 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Anna Tsivileva appointed Deputy Defence Minister". 17 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 28 August 2024". X.com. 9 September 2024.
  12. ^ "Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 28 August 2024". X.com. 9 September 2024.
  13. ^ "Ukraine war: Putin's cousin among inner circle hit by new UK sanctions". BBC News. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  14. ^ "Britain Announces New Russia Sanctions List That Includes Potanin And Putin's Cousin". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  15. ^ O'Carroll, Lisa; Roth, Andrew (16 November 2023). "EU plans fresh Russia sanctions including against son of Dmitry Medvedev". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 13 August 2024.