The daughter of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has been ‘forced’ to separate from her ‘anti-war partner’ ‘under pressure from Vladimir Putin’.
The glamorous Ksenia Shoigu, 32, and influencer Alexey Stolyarov, 33 – one of Russia’s most famous fitness instructors – publicly announced their separation during a televised interview.
He sparked anger among pro-war elements with social media hints that he did not support his father-in-law’s brutal war in Ukraine, while being regularly filmed in exotic foreign locations.
There were also rumors that Ksenia had taken a lover.
Their announcement reportedly came after protests to the Russian president – whom Ksenia regularly meets at military events.
Glamorous Ksenia Shoigu (pictured), 32, and influencer Alexey Stolyarov, 33 – one of Russia’s most famous fitness instructors – publicly announced their separation during a televised interview amid rumors that they had been forced to separate due to Stolyarov’s anti -war views
Alexey Stolyarov sparked anger among pro-war elements with social media hints that he did not support his father-in-law’s brutal war while being regularly filmed in exotic foreign locations
Stolyarov — with nearly 800,000 Instagram followers — so enraged Wagner chief and warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin that he demanded several times that Shoigu’s son-in-law be mobilized to the frontline and taught to fight.
“Everyone around the Kremlin knew that Shoigu’s opponents brought samples of Stolyarov’s (online messages) to Putin’s office several times,” one account said.
Putin had “twice asked” Shoigu to “silence (his) son-in-law,” according to Telegram channel Narrarivy.
“The last conversation with Ksenia about a divorce was recently… She agreed to publicly disown Stolyarov.”
The pair had been spotted frolicking on a beach and visiting Dubai during the war and seemed in love.
He was accused of being ‘unpatriotic’.
Ksenia was standing next to Stolyarov when she told an interviewer, “We haven’t been a couple for a long time.
“But at the same time we are partners and very good friends…”
She claimed that Milana – their young daughter – is “always happy.”
The couple (pictured) – prominent figures in the Russian media landscape – met in 2019 and their daughter was born two years later
Stolyarov — with nearly 800,000 Instagram followers — so enraged Wagner chief and warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin that he demanded several times that Shoigu’s son-in-law be mobilized to the front line and taught to fight. In the photo: Ksenia Shoigu and her father (right)
In the same interview, Stolyarov said, “We didn’t make this decision now, it was made a few months ago… For us, the most important thing was that Milana didn’t feel like we weren’t together anymore.”
Ksenia announced: “We’re going to see her now.”
He said they would continue to work together on “many sports projects.” We’ll stay on the same team.”
The couple – prominent figures in the Russian media landscape – met in 2019 and their daughter was born two years later.
Some see the move as part of a wider campaign to boost Sergei Shoigu’s image amid ongoing speculation that Putin’s health is failing and that the embattled defense minister could succeed him.
Shoigu – who has come under fire for his handling of the war in Ukraine – recently went on a high-profile four-day trip to North Korea, while also sidelining or firing several top generals believed to be critical of his way of dealing with the war.
“There has been a lot of talk in Moscow over the past month about Shoigu’s reinforcements,” said a source.
Such moves are believed to have Putin’s approval and the announcement of the split was similar to the dictator’s own announcement a decade ago of his divorce from first lady Lyudmila.
Pro-Kremlin analyst Sergei Markov said: “Stolyarov was probably ‘fired as a son-in-law’ for bad behavior on social networks.
“Several millions (of us) have been asking for this for a whole year.”
In February, Prigozhin – who has made no secret of his distaste for Sergei Shoigu – demanded that Stolyarov – who avoided conscription – be trained for war.
Pictured: Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (center) seen with his daughter (left) holding her baby, along with her husband Stolyarov (right)
“It is necessary to catch Stolyarov and bring it to me,” said Progozhin. “I’m going to train him for six weeks. “I’ll help him get better by sending him to combat operations.”
He expressed his distaste for Stolyarov and even suggested that the defense minister’s son-in-law could be raped by his ruthless Wagner troops.
Earlier this year, Progozhin staged a coup and his Wagner soldiers marched on Moscow to demand Shoigu’s resignation.
Ksenia runs a military museum and park in St. Petersburg, and was seen hosting Putin and her father.