Over 20 of Putin's family 'have key state-linked jobs*

More than 20 relatives of the Russian president Vladimir Putin have secured key roles across government institutions and statelinked corporations, according to a new investigation.

- TOM AMBROSE

The report, which details how President Putin's former wife and previous partners have profited from their association with him, suggests that nepotism in modern Russia may have reached levels unseen since the reign of Tsar Nicholas II, who ruled until 1917.

The independent investigative outlet Proekt - which has been banned in Russia and operates from abroad - said that its findings revealed a pattern of concentrated family influence extending into nearly every sector of the Russian economy, from energy and mining to finance and defence.

In its analysis of 1,329 people who hold key positions, Proekt found that 76 per cent (1,012 individuals) have relatives employed in the public sector.

"This is a huge proportion - three out of every four Russian leaders either inherited [their position] from other officials or set their descendants' lives on the government's dime," the investigation read.