Kremlin media royalty: Alina Kabaeva earns millions while Russia struggles

27 January 2026 , 07:40

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Kremlin media royalty: Alina Kabaeva earns millions while Russia struggles

As media have learned, by the end of 2024 Alina Kabaeva received 520 million rubles from the Kovalchuk-owned National Media Group (approximately $6.8 million at current exchange rates).

This amount represented the bonus portion of Kabaeva’s compensation. In addition, as Chair of the Board of Directors of NMG, she received a monthly salary of 450,000 rubles throughout 2024 and continues to receive it in 2025.

By the end of 2025, her bonus payment (traditionally paid in February–March) is expected to be even larger. At the very least, it has consistently increased in recent years. For example, based on 2022 results, Kabaeva received 375 million rubles from NMG (paid in March 2023). Based on 2023 results, her bonus rose to 451 million rubles (paid in February 2024). As a result, Kabaeva ranks among the highest-paid top executives in Russia.

According to recent leaks, as of the end of 2024 Kabaeva held 2.3 billion rubles on deposit at Bank Rossiya (whose main shareholder is Yuri Kovalchuk). She also maintained a deposit of 33 million rubles at Novikombank (owned by Rostec) and 10.8 million rubles at SMP Bank.

Sophia Martinez

World Affairs Correspondent