Inside the glamorous lives of London's crazy rich Russians

The release of the long-awaited Russia report this week revealed the grip the country has on the UK, from PR firms, charities, political interests, academia and cultural institutions.

The Intelligence and Security Committee of MPs warned that ‘Russian influence in the UK is the new normal’, claiming that oligarchs and their money were welcomed into British society by successive governments ‘with open arms’. 

In the nineties, many super rich business magnates moved to the UK after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, investing their staggering wealth across Britain under Tony Blair‘s ‘golden visa’ policy which allowed them residency in the country in return for a minimum £1 million investment. 

The report suggested that this provided the oligarchs ‘with a means of recycling illicit finance through the London ‘laundromat” as well as with ‘connections at the highest levels with access to UK companies and political figures’, the report said.

But The Times has suggested that wealthy Russians who have become a fixture in British society over the past 20 years ‘living relatively private lives with legitimate funding’  will be angry at the tone of the report, ‘which portrays them all as either allies or enemies of President Putin’.

This includes the offspring of the wealthy Russians who grew up in Britain and have reaped the benefits of living in a more stable country. 

Frequenting the most exclusive members-only bars in Belgravia and splitting their time between country mansions, Mayfair mews and exotic holidays by private planes and chartered yachts, they live lives of undisputed privilege. 

Now society bible Tatler has uncovered the lives of some of the young Moscow-born UK-educated elites who treat London as their playground for big parties, secret societies and nights out in Knightsbridge. 

For many Moscow-born UK-educated elites London is a playground of big parties, secret societies and nights out in Knightsbridge (Pictured: Anastasia Malakhova,23, who moved to the UK at the age of 14, and attended private school Harrodian in Barnes, south west London)

For many Moscow-born UK-educated elites London is a playground of big parties, secret societies and nights out in Knightsbridge (Pictured: Anastasia Malakhova,23, who moved to the UK at the age of 14, and attended private school Harrodian in Barnes, south west London)

Other members of the Brit-Russian set include Philipp Gazmanov , 23, the son of Russian pop star Oleg Gazmanov (pictured, boarding a private jet)

Other members of the Brit-Russian set include Philipp Gazmanov , 23, the son of Russian pop star Oleg Gazmanov (pictured, boarding a private jet) 

Another of the group showing off luxurious lifestyle online is Sofia Abramovich - daughter of billionaire Chelsea owner Roman (She is pictured here with her pet horse)

Another of the group showing off luxurious lifestyle online is Sofia Abramovich – daughter of billionaire Chelsea owner Roman (She is pictured here with her pet horse)

Key conclusions of the Russia report

The Intelligence and Security Committee concluded following an 18 month investigation that:  

There is ‘credible’ evidence that Russia did try to influence the 2014 Scottish independence referendum

There is ‘no evidence’ that Moscow tried to interfere in the 2016 Brexit vote – but this is because the Government failed to ask ‘for the work to be done’.

Successive governments had ‘underestimated’ the threat posed by the Kremlin and as a result the UK is having to ‘play catch up’. 

Russian oligarchs had been welcomed into Britain ‘with open arms’ and have been ‘recycling illicit finance through the London ‘laundromat”.

‘Enablers’ like lawyers and accountants effectively become ‘de factor agents of the Russian state’.

The Official Secrets Act must be urgently updated to prevent spying amid fears security agencies’ ‘hands are tied’. 

Social media companies should be forced to remove ‘covert hostile state material’ as soon as possible or face being named and shamed.  

Russia’s cyber attack capability ‘when combined with its willingness to deploy it in a malicious capacity, is a matter of grave concern’ which represents an ‘urgent threat to our national security’. 

ANNA MILYAVSKYA  

Anna Milyavskaya, 24, is the daughter of an actress and a businessman, who often shows off her very glamorous jetset lifestyle on Instagram.

She moved to England aged 14 to attend boarding school, leaving behind her Moscow mansion in an exclusive neighbourhood where residents include Russian president Vladimir Putin. 

The youngster has lived in exclusive neighbourhoods, including Belgravia and Mayfair.

Anna also attended Regent’s University, which costs more than £40,000 a year and is one of  Britain’s most expensive private higher education institutions.  

Anna Milyavskaya, 24, the daughter of an actress and a businessman, regularly poses up a storm decked in designer clothes on Instagram

Anna Milyavskaya, 24, the daughter of an actress and a businessman, regularly poses up a storm decked in designer clothes on Instagram 

Anna is a graduate of Regent's University - Britain's most expensive private higher education institution - which costs more than £40,000 to attend. She is pictured on a beach

Anna, seen here on a private yacht in France's Cap-d'Ail, cites holidays, Louboutin slippers, Hermes bags, Regents Park and parties 'with a dress code' as her favourite things

Anna often shares snaps of her lavish holidays online as she poses in exotic beaches and enormous super yachts

She celebrated her 22nd birthday in Moscow and shared that she received several lavish bouquets of roses online

She celebrated her 22nd birthday in Moscow and shared that she received several lavish bouquets of roses online

She regularly poses for snaps decked out in designer clothes as she wanders the globe and can be found lounging around a private jet and catching rays on a superyacht. 

Recent posts show her shopping in Moscow, getting dinner in Budapest and sunbathing in Turkey – but she spends most of her time in London.

In 2018, she told Tatler that while living in Belgravia, every second person she met was Russian. 

She explained: ‘Sometimes you’d be like, ‘”Am I in Moscow or am I in London?”.’

She also told the society bible about her life frequenting Harrods, members clubs in Belgravia and enjoying exotic holidays.

Recent snaps show Anna shopping in Moscow (pictured) getting dinner in Budapest and sunbathing in Turkey - but she spends most of her time in London

Recent snaps show Anna shopping in Moscow (pictured) getting dinner in Budapest and sunbathing in Turkey – but she spends most of her time in London

Anna Milyavskay enjoys an array of luxurious holidays every year, and is seen relaxing in an infinity pool in the Seyshelles to kick of her 2018 this year

Anna Milyavskay enjoys an array of luxurious holidays every year, and is seen relaxing in an infinity pool in the Seyshelles to kick of her 2018 this year

 Anna enjoys an array of luxurious holidays every year, including holidays in exclusive resorts (left) and New Year holidays in the Seyshelles (right) 

Anna often travels between Moscow and London, but spends most of her time in England (pictured on a private plane)

Anna often travels between Moscow and London, but spends most of her time in England (pictured on a private plane)

SOFIA ABRAMOVICH 

Another showing off luxurious lifestyle online is Sofia Abramovich – daughter of billionaire Chelsea owner Roman.

The Royal Holloway graduate regularly shares envy-inducing snaps on social media, which reflect her love of horses, champagne and exotic holidays.

The influencer is the third child of Chelsea billionaire owner Abramovich and his second wife Irina, and moved from Russia to England with the rest of her family in 2003. 

Sofia, who grew up at her family’s £18million estate in Sussex, and along with her older siblings Anna, 28, and Arkadiy, 26, attended private schools in London charging up to £40,000 a year.

Royal Holloway graduate Sofia, pictured enjoying pizza on the King's Road, regularly shares envy-inducing snaps on social media, which reflect her love of horses, champagne and exotic holidays.

Royal Holloway graduate Sofia, pictured enjoying pizza on the King’s Road, regularly shares envy-inducing snaps on social media, which reflect her love of horses, champagne and exotic holidays.

The influencer is the third child of Chelsea billionaire owner Abramovich and his second wife Irina, and regularly shares snaps of her luxurious holidays on Instagram, enjoying trips to Ibiza, the Maldives and Tokyo (pictured, on a yacht)

The influencer is the third child of Chelsea billionaire owner Abramovich and his second wife Irina, and regularly shares snaps of her luxurious holidays on Instagram, enjoying trips to Ibiza, the Maldives and Tokyo (pictured, on a yacht) 

Demonstrating their lavish lifestyle, sister Anna has previously described how they used to arrive at school by helicopter from their country home in Sussex. 

Sofia regularly shares snaps of her luxurious holidays on Instagram, enjoying trips to Ibiza, the Maldives and Tokyo. 

It seems that for father Roman, who is worth £10.1billion, no expense is spared when it comes to his daughter.

For her 18th birthday, he treated her to lavish birthday bash at the Under The Bridge nightclub at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground, featuring performances from Scouting For Girls and McBusted.

Sofia often shares pictures taken at home with her dogs, Zeke and Blue - as well as throwback images with her parents and siblings ( Pictured with one of her adorable miniature daschunds)

Sofia often shares pictures taken at home with her dogs, Zeke and Blue – as well as throwback images with her parents and siblings ( Pictured with one of her adorable miniature daschunds)

The party, attended by 500 friends, is believed to have cost the Chelsea owner around £30,000.

Although she’s clearly used to living the high-life, Sofia is not afraid to get her hands dirty, and regularly shares pictures of herself at the stables with her beloved horses, Dora, Billy Fraulein and Zanzibar.

She has completed in competitions around the world, including the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour in Spain and events in Monaco. 

Her father is believed to have paid more than three times the market price for one of her horses- an estimated £500,000 – after it won first prize in its class at the International Horse Show at Olympia.

Sofia often shares pictures taken at home with her dogs, Zeke and Blue – as well as throwback images with her parents and siblings.

Sofia recently graduated from Royal Holloway in London having previously attended private schools charging up to £40,000 a year

Sofia recently graduated from Royal Holloway in London having previously attended private schools charging up to £40,000 a year

PHILIPP GAZMANOV  

Elsewhere Philipp Gazmanov, 22, is the stepson of Russian megastar and pop icon Oleg Gazmanov.

Oleg was awarded with the Order ‘For Merit to the Fatherland’ by Putin in 26 December 2012 and is considered a People’s Artist of Russia, which is the highest honorary title of the Russian Federation for outstanding achievements. 

Philipp splits his time between Moscow and England having attended exclusive boarding schools – Essex’s New Hall School, then Hurtwood House in Surrey.

He has already started his own business which he describes as ‘Uber for trucks’, and has done modelling work through Marvin Models Agency, founded St. Petersburg photographer Alexander Mavrin. 

Philipp Gazmanov is seen with his father, Russian pop star Oleg Gazmanov, as they pose in front of a fast car, enjoying a life of luxury which he frequently shares on Instagram

Philipp Gazmanov is seen with his father, Russian pop star Oleg Gazmanov, as they pose in front of a fast car, enjoying a life of luxury which he frequently shares on Instagram

Phillip has already started his own business which he describes as 'Uber for trucks', and remained tight-lipped about his love for London- only admitting that were secret societies the elite were part of. He is pictured on a private jet

Phillip often shows off his love of private cars, pictured here he shows off an expensive watch while driving a Ferrari

Travelling in style! Phillip often shows off his love of private jets (left) as well as sports cars (pictured right,  his expensive watch while driving a Ferrari)

He regularly shares his shirtless modelling shoots on Instagram, showing off his figure honed to perfectio with gym sessions and sport such as snowboarding. 

Phillip has remained tight-lipped about his social life in London – only admitting to the existence of secret societies which the elites are a part of. 

Describing himself as down to earth, the entrepreneur said: ‘What I like is that there are secret clubs and societies, restaurants where only certain people can go.’ 

Refusing to name them, he added: ‘There is a reason they stay secret.’

Phillip often shares snaps of the top spots to be seen if you're a Russian socialite, including Lerici in Italy, where he is seen above

Phillip often shares snaps of the top spots to be seen if you’re a Russian socialite, including Lerici in Italy, where he is seen above

Meanwhile his mother Marianna has spoken out about her devotion and close bond to her children on her own Instagram page.

Sharing a snap of Philipp and his sister Marianna in January, she wrote: ‘Children are the best thing that happened to me in life. They are my best advisers and friends.

‘I am that rock on which their passions and excessive emotions will break, I am a haven where they will be safe, because I love them unconditionally.’

Phillip has a love for fast cars and splits his time between Russia and England after attending exclusive boarding schools in Surrey's New Hall School, then Hurtwood House in Essex.

Phillip has a love for fast cars and splits his time between Russia and England after attending exclusive boarding schools in Surrey’s New Hall School, then Hurtwood House in Essex.

ANTASTASIA MALAKHOVA  

Model, artist and photographer Anastasia Malakhova, also 23, moved to the UK at the age of 14, and attended private school Harrodian in Barnes, south west London.

The school is famed for its A-list attendees, where parents can use the school gym and hang out at the cafe.

Another fixture in Russian’s exclusive community in London, the Maths whizz and model enjoys annual holidays to the Tuscan seaside town of Forte dei Marmi ever- a favourite destination among her circle.

She can also be found out on the town in the capital, lapping up glamorous nights out in Knightsbridge.

Anastasia claims her and her friends head to the same destinations every year, with Marbella and Ibiza among the hotspots

Anastasia claims her and her friends head to the same destinations every year, with Marbella and Ibiza among the hotspots

The stunning model and photographer often delights her 20,000 Instagram followers with snapshots of her work

The stunning model and photographer often delights her 20,000 Instagram followers with snapshots of her work 

Anastasia told Tatler that she doesn’t need to plan holidays with her friends, because she just ‘knows’ that they’ll be there if she calls.  

Describing herself as a designer and model, Anastasia has her own brand Obsession Silk, which specialises in barely there silk clothing.

She is also at trained ballet dancer and studied performing arts management. 

Her Instagram is packed full of arty shots of her adventures through London, Paris and Moscow and she regularly delights her 20,000 followers by sharing fashion-forward snaps of her latest outfits.   

Anastasia moved to the UK at the age of 14, and attended private school Harrodian in Barnes, south west London (pictured, during lockdown)

Anastasia moved to the UK at the age of 14, and attended private school Harrodian in Barnes, south west London (pictured, during lockdown) 

SASHA IGNATIEV  

Son of a businessman, Sasha Ignatiev, 23, also frequents the same ‘hot spots’ that Anastasia hints at. 

A first-generation Russian, he grew up in South Kensington with his British mother and Russian businessman father. 

He now enjoys the use of a country house in Kent which boasts a sauna, ice-cold plunge pool, bearskins and taxidermied reindeer heads. 

And if he’s not relaxing in Kent, he told Tatler the regular holiday spots his gang of rich Russian friends like to be seen at. 

Sasha, seen posing in front of an oil portrait painting of himself, grew up in South Kensington with his British mother and Russian businessman father, and enjoys the use of a country house in Kent which boasts a sauna, ice-cold plunge pool, bearskins and taxidermied reindeer heads.

Sasha, seen posing in front of an oil portrait painting of himself, grew up in South Kensington with his British mother and Russian businessman father, and enjoys the use of a country house in Kent which boasts a sauna, ice-cold plunge pool, bearskins and taxidermied reindeer heads.

The set like to spend their summers in Marbella, Monaco, Mykonos, Saint Tropez and Ibiza as they lap up the sunshine and glitzy clubs on the scene. 

Meanwhile in the winter, he can be found on the slopes of St Moritz and Gstaad in Switzerland or even luxurious Courchevel in France. 

Sasha, who is also a graduate from Royal Holloway, already owns his own clothing line and enjoys membership at Queen’s Club, which charges around £2,000 a year. 

The youngster has also dabbled in the music industry and recently released a 2-hour long mix of house music online. 

Sasha, seen here with his cousin, also enjoys the use of private yachts, and is seen here in Paros, a Greek island in the Aegean Sea best known for its beaches and traditional villages

Sasha Ignatiev, also 21, revealed the regular holiday spots all rich Russians like to be seen at- in the summer Marbella, Monaco, Mykonos, Saint Tropez, Ibiza and in the winter St Moritz, Gstaad in Switzerland and Courchevel in France (seen left on a private yacht)

Sasha,who also has a country house in Kent, revealed the regular holiday spots that he and his friends enjoy, including Saint Tropez (right) and Paros (left) 

Sasha travels to the luxury destinations in private planes, documented with his more modest following of 2,300 people on Instagram

Sasha travels to the luxury destinations in private planes, documented with his more modest following of 2,300 people on Instagram

But he is currently working as a senior assistant for the Russian tourist office, with his Linkedin boasting that he is ‘bilingual in French and English, with proficiency in Russian and Spanish’.

It details that he has ‘experience in the tourism sector’ but is ‘eager to go forward into hospitality.’

His other talents include whipping up fine cuisine in the kitchen, with the youngster even starting an Instagram page during lockdown to show off his impressive skills. 

Sasha also enjoys an array of luxury holidays, posting a snap as he relaxed in a private beach front villa on the exclusive Velaa Private Island in the Maldives this year

Sasha also enjoys an array of luxury holidays, posting a snap as he relaxed in a private beach front villa on the exclusive Velaa Private Island in the Maldives this year

He has previously revealed how his father, who also works in tourism, likes ‘all things English’ but ‘with a Russian twist.’

He explained: ‘He loves Ascot. That’s probably his favourite thing, even though it’s so English.

‘[But] if you still want to bring your heritage with you.’  

source: express.co.uk