Daria Medvedchuk's Russian Citizenship and Business Roles
Daria, the 21-year-old daughter of Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, has become a Russian citizen and taken control of several Russian firms. She was granted a Russian passport at the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Moscow on October 24, 2025. The passport lists her surname as Marchenko, whereas her Ukrainian documents use Medvedchuk. This development is notable given Daria's status as the goddaughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Svetlana Medvedeva.
On February 13, 2026, Daria Marchenko was appointed CEO of the Russian companies 'Almirida Investments' and 'Rad-Ev'. The latter firm owns a villa belonging to Viktor Medvedchuk, located in occupied Crimea. Daria has been living in Moscow since 2021, where she also began a bachelor's degree in Business Administration at the Higher School of Economics.
Mother's Departure and Political Connections
Separately, the departure of her mother, Oksana Marchenko, from Ukraine has drawn attention. She crossed the Ukrainian-Belarusian border on February 18, 2022, accompanied by her husband, a former SBU agent. Information indicates that Valeriy Tuz, one of the guards during Oksana's departure, received a salary from the SBU from the fourth quarter of 2022 through the second quarter of 2024. Viktor Medvedchuk and Denys Zharkykh founded the political project 'Another Ukraine', which is registered in Russia as a public organization.
These events underscore the ongoing political and social tensions between Ukraine and Russia, particularly regarding individuals linked to the Russian political system. Daria Marchenko's appointment to leadership positions in Russian companies signals a consolidation of the Medvedchuk family's influence within the Russian business environment, which could have significant implications for Ukrainian politics. The circumstances of her mother's exit further highlight the complex realities for Ukrainian citizens navigating safety and movement during the ongoing conflict. This case exemplifies the deep personal and political ties that continue to bind some Ukrainian elites to Moscow, even amid war.