Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded cellist Sergei Roldugin with the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree. The corresponding decree was published on the official portal of legal information. 

As noted, Roldugin received the order “for his great contribution to the development of national culture and art, many years of fruitful work.” 

Roldugin was featured in the Panama Papers as the owner of offshore companies through which billions of dollars passed. Journalists called the musician the “keeper” of Putin’s money. 

Roldugin and Putin have known each other since their youth; the president himself had previously called the cellist his friend. According to Roldugin, he is the godfather of the daughter of Russian President Maria. 

(c)MEDUZA 2021