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February 18, 2026 – Russia –
A prominent Russian investigative journalist, Roman Badanin, has been added to the Moscow authorities’ wanted list following his publication of a book containing previously undisclosed allegations about President Vladimir Putin’s private relationships and family connections, according to recent reports. Badanin’s inclusion on the wanted list marks a significant escalation in pressure on independent media figures who report critically on the Kremlin.
The Russian Interior Ministry placed Badanin, 49, on the national wanted database without publicly specifying the precise legal grounds for the designation, reporting outlets said. Badanin, who lives abroad in exile, is the editor of the investigative news organisation Proekt (Project) and the news outlet Agentsvo (Agency), both of which have been previously labelled “foreign agents” or “undesirable” by Russian authorities.
Badanin’s work has long focused on exposing corruption, power structures, and personal networks linked to President Putin and his inner circle. In a book co-authored with Mikhail Rubin, Badanin detailed intimate aspects of Putin’s private life — including alleged extramarital relationships, purported connections to individuals significantly younger than the president, and claims regarding children linked to relationships with well-known figures. The book challenges Putin’s public image as a staunch proponent of traditional family values, and instead portrays a pattern of secret relationships and personal dynamics that have been tightly guarded by the Kremlin.
Among the allegations reported in the book are claims of a past relationship with a woman identified as a teenager at the time and discussions about private family arrangements involving public figures close to Putin. The publication also addresses rumours of offspring tied to other personal relationships, elements that Russian state media and officials have consistently avoided substantiating or openly commenting on.
The move to place Badanin on the wanted list adds to a pattern in which Russian authorities have used legal mechanisms to target journalists, activists, and dissidents who publish material deemed sensitive or critical of the government. Rights groups have criticised these tactics as part of broader efforts to suppress independent journalism and deter investigative reporting on subjects deemed taboo by the state.
Badanin’s editorial leadership in outlets like Proekt, known for probing financial, political, and personal networks within Russia’s elite, has made him a high-profile figure among critics of press restrictions. The official warrant complicates his ability to travel internationally and underscores the ongoing risks faced by Russian journalists and media professionals who document issues related to power, corruption, and governance at the highest levels.
Reference –
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/russia-hunting-man-who-exposed-36739931
