Lavrov's partner reportedly obtained UAE passports to evade sanctions

The Anti-Corruption Foundation, established by Alexei Navalny, has revealed that Svetlana Polakova, the partner of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and her daughter, Polina Kowalova, obtained United Arab Emirates passports in December 2022.

According to reports, the acquisition of Emirati citizenship occurred shortly after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, potentially allowing the women to avoid sanctions and other consequences related to the conflict. Polakova, a long-time associate of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reportedly holds real estate valued at over 700 million rubles. The foundation also noted that Polakova and her family maintained ties with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, who allegedly provided access to aircraft and foreign properties.