Mystery Blonde Woman Who Keeps Appearing In Putin's Photo Ops Identified

Russian President Vladimir Putin is often flanked by military officials during photo ops and speeches, and one blonde woman appears in multiple photos in different roles.

The woman was identified as Larisa Sergukhina in 2016, which is when she made her first public appearance with the Russian leader, New York Post reported. While it is unclear what her role is, Kremlin observers said Sergukhina may be part of Putin's security team.

According to Radio Liberty affiliate Sibir.Realii, Sergukhina shared the frame with Putin in the Novgorod region along with fishermen in 2016. In 2017, she posed as a parishioner at the Novgorod monastery alongside Putin. The photo was taken during an Eastern Orthodox Christmas service, NYPost reported.

The blonde woman's most unusual appearance was reported in 2017 and 2019. She was reportedly photographed "selling" ice cream to Putin at an airshow in Moscow. New York Post said that the Russian leader overpaid for the ice cream by 4,000 rubles (roughly $60) and then demanded the change be donated for the "development of aviation."

In her latest appearance, the woman was identified as Anna Sidorenko, a Russian military medic. She flanked Putin at the New Year address alongside apparent soldiers.

Putin's past photo ops show him posing with guns, working out, driving a Formula 1 car, playing ice hockey, flying a motorized delta plane, attending a Judo training session, and being shirt-less while riding a horse in southern Siberia's Tuva region.

Putin's New Year Speech

The Russian president's pre-recorded video message was broadcast through the 11 Russian time zones right before the country welcomed 2023. While it started with greetings, Putin's speech largely revolved around Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine, Reuters reported.

Moscow's soldiers were fighting for their "motherland, truth and justice ... so that Russia's security can be guaranteed," Putin said. "They are all our heroes and they are shouldering the heaviest burden right now."

Claiming that the "moral and historical truth" was on Russia's side, Putin said, "defending their motherland is the sacred duty we owe to our ancestors and descendants."