Everything To Know About Putin’s Daughters As The US Targets His Family With Sanctions

Following the United States' announcement of sanctions against Vladimir Putin's family members, here's everything you need to know about Russian leader's two daughters.

Maria Vorontsova, 36, and Katerina Tikhonova, 35, were targeted by the US as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine under their father's orders. The sanctions will cut off Putin's close family members from the US financial system and freeze any assets they hold in America.

Putin has previously been secretive when discussing his family, and in 2015 said he does not discuss them as he avoided questions about his daughter's identities during a news conference.

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As BBC News reports, he commented: "My daughters live in Russia and studied only in Russia, I am proud of them. They speak three foreign languages fluently. I never discuss my family with anyone."

Putin shares Maria and Katerina with his ex-wife, Lyudmila, who he married in 1983. The pair stayed together for 30 years until, in 2013, Putin said they split in a 'joint decision'.

Maria is the elder of the two siblings, born in 1985 shortly after her parents married. She studied biology at St Petersburg University and medicine at Moscow State University, and is now an academic specialising in the endocrine system, BBC News reports.

Maria has also co-written a book on the topic of stunted growth in children, is listed as a researcher at the Endocrinology Research Centre in Moscow, and was identified by BBC Russia as co-owner of a company with plans to build a medical centre.

The 36-year-old is legally married to Dutch businessman Jorrit Joost Faassen, though the pair are reported to have separated.

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Her younger sister, Katerina, previously became known as a rock and roll dancer who in 2013 made it into the top five at an international event.

She is married to Kirill Shamalov, the son of a friend of Putin who has himself been subject to sanctions from the US for his role in Russia's energy sector.

Katerina now works in academia and business, and in 2018 made an appearance on Russian state media to talk about neurotechnology.

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One of the sisters is thought to have given birth, with Putin having in 2017 referred to 'grandchildren', one of which was 'already in nursery school', though he has not specified how many grandchildren he has or which of his daughters had children.

In announcing the sanctions against the two women today, 6 April, one US official said they believed 'many of Putin's assets are hidden with family members', which is why they are being targeted.

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