Putin's daughter eyes control of Russian tech sector
Katerina Tikhonova wants to take control of all high-tech companies in Russia. The daughter of the Russian leader Vladimir Putin dreams of creating a "state corporation," said an industry manager in an anonymous interview with "The Moscow Times," which was quoted by "Fakt".
Katerina Tikhonova, daughter of Vladimir Putin, plays a key role in developing the Russian high-tech sector. The Innopraktika foundation, which she leads, plans to become a central hub for technology enterprises by proposing a "single circuit" to develop and implement new technologies. According to the "T-invariant" service, Tikhonova aims to dominate the technology market in Russia, which could lead to the creation of a powerful monopoly.
Supported by Natalia Popova, deputy general director of the foundation, Innopraktika's initiatives include creating innovation ecosystems around national technology leaders. At the annual congress "Innovation Practice: Science plus Business," Tikhonova presented the foundation's vision as a "one-stop shop" for high-tech companies, emphasizing the importance of seamless interaction from research to mass production.
Will Putin's daughter take over business?
However, these developments raise concerns among former high-level managers. They claim anonymously that consolidating all technological activities within a single circuit could transform into a state-controlled corporation, Rosrazvitie, which could have numerous consequences. Although Tikhonova believes the foundation will attract market investments with the backing of powerful partners such as Rosneft, Rostec, and Gazprom, there is no shortage of skeptical voices.
Tikhonova's stance has not gone unnoticed—the US imposed sanctions on her following the invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions justification highlighted that her activities support the Russian defense industry. These restrictions raise questions about the future of her initiatives and their impact on international policy.
Tikhonova's initiatives may also affect Russia's relations with other countries, including Iran. As reported by "The Times," Iran is seeking support for its nuclear program, which could complicate geopolitical events. The implications of covert technological cooperation could be significant for both Russia and its allies.
