First Image of Putin's Son Ivan Surfaces Online, Channel Disappears

Photos allegedly showing Vladimir Putin's secret 10-year-old son, Ivan Vladimirovich Putin, were leaked online by a widely followed anti-Kremlin Telegram channel, which disappeared shortly after posting the images. The boy, believed to be the child of Putin and former gymnast Alina Kabaeva, reportedly lives in isolation under strict security and rarely interacts with peers. The leak sparked intense speculation over the boy's identity and raised questions about the Kremlin's ability to control digital dissent, especially since Putin has never publicly acknowledged Ivan or his younger brother. While independent journalists and social media users note a strong resemblance between the boy and Putin, the Kremlin has not responded and Russian state media have ignored the matter. Pro-government outlets dismissed the leak as Western propaganda, and the authenticity of the images remains unverified. The incident highlights ongoing secrecy around Putin's personal life and the risks faced by those who challenge official narratives in Russia.