Vladimir Putin's secret sons revealed as investigation uncovers identities of illegitimate children

According to an investigation by Russian investigative news organisation The Dossier Centre, the children reside primarily in Putin's vast mansion near Lake Valdai, northwest of Moscow.

The report alleges that the boys, named Ivan and Vladimir Jr, were born in 2015 and 2019 respectively.

Despite their privileged upbringing, the children are said to have little contact with their parents and are surrounded by a team of staff, including governesses, nannies, and Kremlin security officers.

The Dossier Centre reports that Ivan, the elder son, was born in spring 2015 at a maternity clinic in Lugano, Switzerland. Meanwhile, Vladimir Jr, was born in Moscow in spring 2019.

The children's lives are shrouded in secrecy. They cannot be found in government databases and possess cover documents typically reserved for spies and individuals under state protection.

Birthdates of the two children are known only to immediate family members.

The boys do not attend regular schools or interact with peers their age. Instead, they are educated by private governesses within the confines of Putin's residences.

Their education is provided by private tutors, with a particular emphasis on languages. Putin recently revealed that his "little ones" speak Chinese fluently. The boys also receive instruction in English and German.

The residence boasts two ponies, rabbits, and a St Bernard dog cared for by Kremlin guards.

However, their interaction with these pets is limited, as the children spend most of their time alone or with adult staff members.

Travel arrangements for the children are highly secure. They do not use commercial flights, instead relying on separate planes, yachts, and armoured trains for transportation.

Despite their isolation, the children enjoy some luxuries. They have access to a large Lego collection and an iPad for games and video calls.

The Putin children's luxurious lifestyle extends beyond their primary residence. In winter, they relocate to a high-end property near the Krasnaya Polyana ski resort, where they are learning to ski.

Summer holidays involve trips on the 84-metre yacht Graceful in the Gulf of Finland, occasionally joined by Putin himself.

The boys have personal chefs who prepare separate meals for them. Like their father, they drink only from their own designated mugs.

Despite Putin's well-known anti-Western stance, his eldest son Ivan reportedly has a fondness for Disney cartoons and characters.

The Dossier Centre claims that Ivan enjoys pretending to be Disney characters, much to the displeasure of his parents.

The boys' love for Western entertainment stands in stark contrast to Putin's preference for Soviet-era cartoons and his criticism of Western animation.