Last updated on: November 12, 2024

Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, is recognizable to everyone; however, not many know much about his family. One of the lesser-known facts about Vladimir Putin is that he had brothers. There was Viktor Putin who is frequently mentioned in brief reports about Vladimir’s life. In this article, we’ll tell you who Viktor Putin was and what we know about his life.

Early Life of Viktor Putin

Viktor Putin was born in 1940, being the elder brother of Vladimir. His childhood was very difficult years for Soviet Russia. The country had just suffered from World War II, and it was regarded by many as the most challenging period for all: hunger, wars, and other afflications were experienced. Viktor’s family was not rich and had to overcome many problems. Their parents, Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin and Maria Ivanovna Putina, strived to ensure that their children were well provided for.

Viktor and Vladimir were close in age, so most of the childhood years of both were spent playing together. But these childhood years were not at all comfortable either. Russia was still coming to terms with the aftereffects of war, and survival had to be carved out during the worst of these times.

The Tragic Death of Viktor Putin

Sadly, Viktor Putin’s life was cut extremely short. He died when he was still a young child. He died in 1942 during the Leningrad blockade, one of the most important events of World War II. Viktor died due to diphtheria, which was a dangerous disease at the time and took the lives of many people. The event of death brought an extreme impact on the family of the Putins. Viktor was among the two children who did not survive.

That actually scarred him on an emotional level, and Vladimir Putin very often speaks of how his family suffered when he was growing up. Viktor died so young that Vladimir never got to know his brother as a person.

Legacy of Viktor in the Life of Putin

Despite the fact that Viktor lived only for a few years, his influence on his younger brother Vladimir was great. Growing up with memory of Viktor’s death, Vladimir Putin remained quite attached to his surviving family members. The most significant one for him was his father-Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin. Spiridonovich served during World War II as a clerk in the Soviet Navy and had many problems with officials at that time. Both his strength of will and endurance were very influential for Vladimir.

Viktor’s death and brother had to influence perceptions in the terms of family and patriotism. Clearly, this was where he formed most of his thinking of Russian history and the role of resilience.

A Family of Strength and Resilience

Vladimir Putin often speaks about his parents, who influenced him in life. His father, Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin, was a soldier who survived some of the worst battles of World War II. His mother, Maria Ivanovna Putina, was a factory worker who helped raise Vladimir in tough times.

In some way, the brothers’ memories, Viktor and Albert, who died at war time as well, were part of Vladimir Putin’s identity. It could have been what pushed him further to achieve a goal and save the country he lived for. Even though Viktor did not get a chance to grow into an adult, the life span, however short, was part of the bigger story that made Vladimir Putin who he is today.

READ ALSO: Vladimir Putin Net worth, Age, Girlfriend, Family, Facts & More

The Putin Family Today

Today, Vladimir Putin is widely known to be the Russia leader, but his family background remains an important part of his life. His two daughters, Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova, and ex-wife, Lyudmila Putin, have been private figures much like Viktor was during his times. Even though many details in the lives of his siblings were kept quiet, one can easily notice that family has been a significant portion in making up Vladimir’s views.

Source: celebs.infoseemedia.com