As Russian President Vladimir Putin address the nation amid Wagner rebellion, a look at his children

Vladimir Putinaddressed the nation on Monday evening ordering rebellious troops who upended Russia’s invasion of Ukraine over the weekend to make a decision as part of a short-term resolution.

The Kremlin stated that Wagner soldiers who turned towards Moscow after the group’s leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin declared war on the country’s military leadership on Friday, could either leave for Belarus or swear allegiance to Russia.

At the time of writing, the Wagner Group reportedly agreed they would hand over weaponry as Russia also dropped charges.

Putin’s speech comes after a short address on Saturday, the day after the attempted mutiny, although not much has been given away as to whether his power and efforts to invade Ukraine will crumble or strengthen.

In addition to his military advances, the 70-year-old is generally considered to be quite mysterious about his personal life, previously saying: “I have always disliked those who, with their infected noses and erotic fantasies, break into other people's private affairs.”

Putin has long made concerted efforts to shield his children from the spotlight, but media sources have often speculated about his relationships and kids with investigations ramping up after his initial invasion into Ukraine.

The Russian President reportedly welcomed two daughters called Maria and Katerina during his first marriage to former flight attendant Lyudmila Shkrebneva.

Putin tied the knot to Shkrebneva on 28 July 1983 before giving birth to Maria in Leningrad two years later and Katerina the following year in Germany when Putin was part of the KGB. Prior to Putin becoming acting president, the girls attended a German-language school in Russia before being home-schooled.

Putin and Shkrebneva divorced in 2013, but the former flight attendant gave a rare glimpse into Putin’s role as a father saying: “Not all fathers are as loving with their children as he is and he has always spoiled them.”

Maria, who was named after her grandmother, went on to study biology in college before enrolling in medical school, while her sister focused on Asian Studies.

Since the focus has increased on Putin’s family life following his initial invasion into Ukraine, it has also been revealed that Maria reportedly married Dutch businessman Jorrit Faassen and shared a child of their own before Putin’s daughter went on to have another child with businessman Evgeny Nagorny.

On the other hand, Katerina allegedly is now divorced from former husband Russian billionaire Kirill Shamalov, with their split costing up to $2 billion.

Whether Putin has any other children is still up for debate, however, there have been reports that he is a father to two other daughters from his alleged relationship and affair respectively with former Russian rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabaeva and cleaning lady Svetlana Krivonogikh.

The former cleaning lady’s daughter, born in 2003, is called Elizaveta Vladimirovna Rozova with her middle name meaning ‘daughter of Vladimir’ although the paternity has never been confirmed.