Putin’s alleged secret daughter Luiza Rozova says she is “really sorry” for his war in Ukraine

Putin’s alleged daughter apologises publicly

Luiza Rozova, long rumoured to be Putin’s secret daughter, has publicly apologized for Russia’s war in Ukraine after being confronted by a Ukrainian journalist in Paris on December 3, 2025. The journalist, whose brother was reportedly killed in a Russian strike on Kyiv, directly questioned Rozova: “Your father killed my brother — say something.”

In the recorded exchange, Rozova — visibly distressed and wearing a mask — replied, “I’m really sorry that this is happening. Unfortunately, I’m not responsible for this situation.” She declined to speak more, insisting she was being filmed without consent.

Who is Luiza Rozova?

Rozova is believed to be the daughter of Putin and a former cleaner-turned-businesswoman, Svetlana Krivonogikh. The claim surfaced in 2020 when Russian investigative outlet Proekt published a detailed report pointing to her “phenomenal resemblance” to Putin and the patronymic in her name — which means “daughter of Vladimir.”

Born in 2003, Rozova reportedly moved to Paris in recent years and began appearing in public under a different name. Until now, she maintained a low profile.

Why the apology matters — and its limits

Analysts highlight Rozova’s apology as a rare public acknowledgment of Russia’s war from someone alleged to be closely related to Putin. For many Ukrainians, her words may offer a symbolic — if limited — echo of their grief and anger over the conflict.

However, Rozova herself made it clear she has no influence over her father’s policies — nor any power to end the war. “I’m not responsible for this situation,” she said.

Context — shadow family, public secrecy, and a fragile spotlight

The identity of Putin’s private life — beyond his officially acknowledged daughters — has always been the subject of rumours. Rozova, previously Elizaveta Krivonogikh, has been part of that narrative. While the Kremlin has never confirmed her as his daughter, the Proekt investigation and later reporting have kept the speculation alive.

Her emergence in public recently, and the street-level confrontation in Paris, underscores how even peripheral figures can draw attention as proxies for broader geopolitical faultlines. The apology may not carry legal or political weight, but it has already resonated as a moral statement — and a rare crack in the uniformity of silence surrounding Russia’s wartime leadership.