Russian President Vladimir Putin’s latest known grandson has reportedly been registered under his mother’s surname rather than that of his father, Igor Zelensky, a ballet dancer who shares his name with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The child, named Adrian, was born on August 15, 2025, but his existence only recently came to light, according to reports by independent Russian news outlet Agentsvo.
Adrian is the son of Putin’s second daughter, Katerina Tikhonova, 40, and Igor Zelensky, 57, a former director of the Bavarian State Ballet.
Records reportedly show that the boy was registered with the surname Tikhonov, the masculine version of his mother’s family name, rather than Zelensky.
Birth Registration Delayed for 11 Months
Adrian’s birth was reportedly registered 11 months after he was born, despite Russian law requiring parents to register a birth within the month following delivery.
The reason for the delay remains unclear.
However, Agentsvo suggested that it could have been connected to the family’s efforts to keep the birth of Putin’s fourth grandchild private or complications arising from the different surnames of his parents.
The report also highlighted the unusual circumstances surrounding the family’s decision to use Tikhonov instead of Zelensky.
Katerina and Igor’s first child, Elsa, now eight, was initially registered with the feminine version of her father’s surname, Zelenskaya.
She is now believed to use her mother’s surname, Tikhonova.
Katerina Tikhonova’s Family and Career
Katerina, Putin’s second daughter from his marriage to former wife Lyudmila Ocheretnaya, 68, previously worked as a rock-and-roll dancer before becoming a wealthy technology executive.
She is involved in important Russian artificial intelligence developments and has also been linked to activities aimed at circumventing international sanctions.
Her older sister, Maria Vorontsova, 41, is also from Putin’s marriage to Lyudmila.
Both daughters have largely remained outside public attention, with their family connections and personal details carefully protected.
Putin’s Other Children Also Use Different Surnames
Adrian’s reported registration under his mother’s surname follows a pattern within Putin’s family, where his children have used names other than their father’s.
Putin has two sons with his partner, former gymnast Alina Kabaeva, 43. Ivan, 11, and Vladimir, eight, were reportedly given the surname Spiridonov rather than Putin.
The name is believed to have a connection to Putin’s paternal grandfather, Spiridon Putin, who lived from 1879 to 1965.
Putin also has another daughter, Luiza Rozova, 23, from his relationship with Svetlana Krivinogikh, 51.
Krivinogikh reportedly worked as a cleaner before becoming a wealthy bank director and nightclub owner.
Luiza is believed to prefer living in Paris rather than in Russia.
Putin’s Family Has Links to His Grandfather’s Name
The surname Spiridonov reportedly has historical significance within Putin’s family.
His grandfather, Spiridon Putin, was a professional chef who served some of the most prominent figures in Soviet history.
He reportedly worked as a personal cook for Vladimir Lenin and later prepared meals for Lenin’s widow, Nadezhda Krupskaya, before serving Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in the Kremlin.
During the Tsarist era, Spiridon had also worked at the Hotel Astoria in St Petersburg, where he reportedly served the notorious mystic Grigori Rasputin.
Spiridon Putin died on his 86th birthday in 1965.
Putin Has Several Grandchildren From His Daughters
The Russian president is also believed to have two grandchildren through his eldest daughter, Maria Vorontsova, including a grandson with Dutch connections.
With Adrian’s birth, the child becomes Putin’s fourth known grandchild, according to the report.
The latest revelations have brought renewed attention to the identities and family arrangements of Putin’s children and grandchildren, many of whom live under surnames different from his own.
