Dmytro Holoshchapov's widow admits she is funded by the family of "Putin's masseur"

Angelina Holoshchapov, the widow of the late Dmytro Holoshchapov, spoke to Russian journalist Ksenia Sobchak about her affluent life. According to her, the family's financial security largely comes from her husband's relatives, specifically his father, Konstantin Holoshchapov, a businessman known in Russia as "Putin's masseur" due to his long-standing ties with the head of state.

Luxury funded by relatives

The interview took place in one of Paris's restaurants. During the conversation, Sobchak drew attention to her interlocutor's jacket, estimating its value at approximately 10,000 euros. The journalist directly asked how Holoshchapov could afford such a lifestyle. Initially, she answered in general terms that income comes "from everything combined". However, after being asked to clarify whether the main source of funding was the family of her late husband, who supports their two children and helps Angelina herself, she agreed: "Ну так, нехай буде так" ("Well, yes, let it be so").

Holoshchapov regularly vacations with her family at a historic estate in Italy and wears expensive designer clothing. She does not hide that she receives financial support from her husband's relatives.

Official position and maternity leave

Angelina Holoshchapov's official activities probably do not explain her wealth. She holds the position of head of the press service of the Agency for the Management and Use of Historical and Cultural Monuments (AUIPIK), a Russian state institution dealing with historical sites. According to her, she has been on maternity leave for the last three years.

During the conversation, Sobchak asked her to name three historic estates for whose fate Holoshchapov worries the most. She could only recall two: the Faberge dacha in Saint Petersburg and the Bykovo estate in Moscow Oblast.

Ties to power and searches

Separately, the journalist asked her about her late husband. Sobchak asked her to confirm that Dmytro Holoshchapov was an influential figure who had connections with the Russian government and representatives of the highest circles of power. "Усе так" ("Everything is so"), Angelina replied.

Notably, in November 2022, three days before Dmytro Holoshchapov's death, searches were conducted at his father's premises. Investigative actions were carried out as part of a case involving fraud during the execution of state contracts for the reconstruction of a collector and the construction of cable lines. Sobchak drew attention to this coincidence of circumstances, calling it suspicious. Holoshchapov denied any connection between the events, explaining that it was merely a "стечення обставин" ("coincidence of circumstances").

Theories about the nickname "Putin's masseur"

Konstantin Holoshchapov is a Russian businessman who has been linked to Vladimir Putin since the latter's time in Saint Petersburg. The nickname "Putin's masseur" has several explanations.

According to one version, in the 1970s Holoshchapov practised judo and helped Putin, who had back problems. According to another, in the 1990s he worked as a masseur in a bathhouse in Saint Petersburg, where he served the future President of Russia. A third version links the massage to the period of Putin's work in the Leningrad KGB Directorate.

Angelina Holoshchapov stated that she does not know the details of these stories. According to her, she only knows that her husband's father was involved in sports. She suggested that there might be a grain of truth in each of the versions.

Video scandal and Orthodox relics

During the interview, Holoshchapov also commented on the scandal that arose in September following the publication of a video from a trip to the Russian Far East. It was released by blogger Andrii Hryhoriiev-Apollonov, who became the main subject of Sobchak's interview.

In the recording, Angelina Holoshchapov pulls the corners of her eyes with her fingers, imitating the appearance of representatives of Asian peoples, and says: "Де ось такі ось якути, буряти" ("Here are such Yakuts, Buryats"). In her conversation with Sobchak, she explained that she did not expect the video to be published and now reviews all materials featuring her more carefully.

Konstantin Holoshchapov himself is known not only for his ties with Putin and business activities. He is also involved in delivering Orthodox relics to Russia.

In 2002, Holoshchapov handed over a relic of Saint Nicholas to the Saint Petersburg Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, and in 2010 he brought the relics of Great Martyr George to Russia. In addition, he organised pilgrimage trips to Mount Athos and participated in the delivery of the Holy Fire from Jerusalem.

Holoshchapov is the founder and former executive director of the Russian Athos Society.