Maria Lvova-Belova with her husband, priest Pavel Kegelman, and children Photo: WillWest News / Profimedia
Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, is back in the spotlight after she was suspected of having a romantic relationship with media mogul Konstantin Malofeev. This information, published by Verstka, caused tension in relations between Malofeev and Russian Patriarch Kirill, reports Meduza.
Lvova-Belova, who was charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court for participating in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, remains married to the Orthodox priest Pavlo Kogelman. They raise ten children and actively promote traditional values and the Christian faith. However, there were rumors about her affair with Malofeyev, which could exacerbate the already existing tension between the oligarch and Patriarch Kirill.
Rumors about the relationship with Malofeev appeared after Lvova-Belova announced in January 2023 the launch of a joint charity project with Malofeev aimed at helping Ukrainian children. The project was part of a wider collaboration between Lviva-Belova and Malofeyev, which began in early 2023. Their joint work included trips to the occupied territories of Ukraine, in particular Zaporizhzhya, Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Rumors about a romantic relationship between Lvova-Belova and Malofeev first appeared at the end of 2023. In July 2024, they were spotted together at a church service in Yekaterinburg, fueling speculation about their relationship. At the same time, Lvova-Belova did not publicly announce her divorce from Kogelman, who continued to participate in her initiatives, in particular, in “integration camps” for Ukrainian children in Moscow.
Konstantin Malofeev, known for his close ties to the Russian Orthodox Church and ultra-conservative views, is under US and EU sanctions for funding separatists in eastern Ukraine. In the past, he called Putin a “miracle of God” and expressed his desire to see Russia as a monarchy.
Sources close to the Russian Orthodox Church and Putin’s administration told Verstka that Malofeev’s relationship with Patriarch Kirill deteriorated due to rumors of an affair with Lvova-Belova. However, sources also indicate that the rift between Malofeev and the patriarch began even earlier due to the oligarch’s political ambitions.
After inquiries from Verstka journalists, Malofeev blocked their contacts, and Lvova-Belova did not answer calls. Pavlo Kogelman refused to comment and advised to contact the press service of the Russian Orthodox Church.
