Yulia Vavilova. Photo from open sources
Yulia Vavilova, the 24-year-old girlfriend of Telegram founder Pavel Durov, has become the center of attention following Durov’s unexpected arrest at a Paris airport. Vavilova was with him when they were detained on the runway. However, contrary to early media reports, Vavilova is neither Durov’s “assistant” nor a “mysterious woman” in his circle, as initially claimed by the press, reports Corriere Della Sera.
Vavilova and Durov have been in a relationship for some time, as evidenced by several vacation photos shared on social media, showing them in the same tourist spots. Despite this, their relationship remained largely private, with only one known public appearance together—a dinner by the Caspian Sea.
Following Durov’s arrest, rumors suggest that Vavilova deleted her social media accounts. Yulia is known as an expert in cryptocurrencies and navigating Russian sanctions. She also has a passion for video games and foreign languages, being fluent in English, Russian, Spanish, and Arabic.
French investigators have denied any allegations against Vavilova, and after a brief questioning, she was released from the airport where Durov was detained. Meanwhile, conspiracy theories have surfaced online, claiming that Yulia could be a Mossad agent. At the same time, Russian officials, including Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, have asserted that Durov’s arrest was orchestrated by Washington in an effort to tighten control over Telegram ahead of the upcoming presidential elections in November.
