Written by Jason Horowitz Vladimir Putin did not like the prying. It was 2008, and the Russian president , then 56 and eight years into his tightening grip on power, stood for a news conference in Sardinia's lavish Villa Certosa. At his side was his closest ally in Western Europe, Silvio Berlusconi, the media mogul and Italian prime minister of legendarily hedonist appetites with whom he shared a taste for raunchy jokes, over-the-top furnishings and vast wealth. During the summers, Putin's two teenage daughters had the run of the sprawling villa, going on secret luxury shopping and boating excursions under strict orders that their identities remain concealed and their faces hidden from cameras, according to a person with knowledge of the arrangement. https://images.indianexpress.com/2020/08/1×1.png Best of Express Premium Chintan Shivir ends today: Hindutva debate in Cong, party ducks hard talk… Explained: Why ban of wheat exports is knee-jerk reaction, hits farmers a… The hand of the Rajapaksas The toxic glare of limelight More Premium Stories >> That strategy of strictly shielding his family worked well for Putin over the years, until Russia invaded Ukraine in February. Now, as nations impose sanctions on those closest to him — including those approved Friday… Read full this story
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Russia’s war in Ukraine is shedding new light on Putin’s personal life. Here’s what we know have 455 words, post on indianexpress.com at May 14, 2022. This is cached page on The Best Articles. If you want remove this page, please contact us.