Anna Tsivilyova Explained

Anna Tsivilyova
Office:Deputy Minister of Defence
Term Start:14 June 2024
Primeminister:Mikhail Mishustin
Birth Name:Anna Evgenievna Putina
Birth Date:9 May 1972
Birth Place:Ivanovo, RSFSR, USSR
Alma Mater:RUDN, RANEPA
Spouse:Sergey Tsivilyov
Children:2
Native Name Lang:ru

Anna Evgenievna Tsivilyova (ru|Анна Евгеньевна Цивилёва|links=no, Putina, Путина; born 9 May 1972) is a Russian government official. She is a first cousin once removed of president Vladimir Putin.

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

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 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. 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

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

Sanctions

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022-01-19 . "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 . 2024-08-13 . Настоящее Время . . ru.
  2. Web site: 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 . 2024-08-13 . Meduza . ru.
  3. Web site: Badanin . Roman . Roman Badanin . Rubin . Mikhail . Maglov . Mikhail . Sukharev . Dmitry . 2022-01-19 . Iron Masks. New Season • Agents.media . 2024-08-13 . Proekt.
  4. Web site: Лепехина . Елена . 2024-03-12 . Умер двоюродный брат Путина . Putin's cousin has died . 2024-08-13 . . ru.
  5. Web site: September 9, 2024 . Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 28 August 2024. . X.com.
  6. Web site: 2023-05-09 . "Пришло две тысячи рублей с копейками" . "Two thousand rubles and some kopecks arrived" . 2024-08-13 . . ru.
  7. News: 2023-04-03 . Путин назначил родственницу главой госфонда "Защитники Отечества" . Putin appoints relative as head of "Defenders of the Fatherland" state fund . 2024-08-13 . Радио Свобода . Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty . ru.
  8. Web site: June 17, 2024 . Putin Promotes 'Cousin' in Latest Military Shake-Up . The Moscow Times.
  9. Web site: June 17, 2024 . Putin appoints relative to defense ministry post in yet another shake-up . The Kyiv Independent.
  10. News: Anna Tsivileva appointed Deputy Defence Minister . 17 June 2024 .
  11. Web site: September 9, 2024 . Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 28 August 2024. . X.com.
  12. Web site: September 9, 2024 . Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 28 August 2024. . X.com.
  13. News: 2022-06-29 . Ukraine war: Putin's cousin among inner circle hit by new UK sanctions . 2024-08-13 . BBC News . en-GB.
  14. News: Britain Announces New Russia Sanctions List That Includes Potanin And Putin's Cousin . 2024-08-13 . Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty . en.
  15. News: O'Carroll . Lisa . Roth . Andrew . 2023-11-16 . EU plans fresh Russia sanctions including against son of Dmitry Medvedev . 2024-08-13 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.