Capture of Anton Milaev, Adoptive Great-Grandson of Leonid Brezhnev, in Kherson Oblast

Ukrainian marines of the 34th Separate Marine Brigade “Borysfen” announced that Anton Milaev, a 45-year-old sapper who voluntarily joined the Russian Ministry of Defence in autumn 2025, was taken prisoner in the Ukrainian-controlled part of Kherson Oblast.

Ukrainian marines captured Brezhnev’s great-grandson in the Kherson region

Anton Milaev is the adoptive great-grandson of former Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. He is the adoptive grandson of Brezhnev’s daughter, identified as Halyna in one source and Galina in another. After signing a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defence in the fall of 2025, Milaev served as a combat engineer (sapper). Contact with his family ceased in November 2025, prompting concern about his whereabouts. His mother, Iryna Kuznetsova, later confirmed his captivity.

The Coordination Headquarters confirmed the capture of Brezhnev’s great-grandson, who fought against Ukraine in the Kherson regionBrezhnev’s great-grandson was captured in the Kherson region, – mediaUkrainian marines captured Brezhnev’s great-grandson in the Kherson region

• Autumn 2025 – Milaev signs a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defence and begins service as a sapper.

The Coordination Headquarters confirmed the capture of Brezhnev’s great-grandson, who fought against Ukraine in the Kherson region

• November 2025 – Russian authorities lose contact with Milaev’s family.

The Coordination Headquarters confirmed the capture of Brezhnev’s great-grandson, who fought against Ukraine in the Kherson region

• [Date of announcement] – The 34th Separate Marine Brigade “Borysfen” posts on Facebook that Milaev is in Ukrainian custody; the Coordination Headquarters confirms the capture.

Ukrainian marines captured Brezhnev’s great-grandson in the Kherson region

The case ties a living descendant of a prominent Soviet figure to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, offering a personal narrative that both sides can leverage. Russian media have highlighted the disappearance, while Ukrainian forces may use the incident to illustrate the human cost of Russian mobilization. The story also revives references to Brezhnev’s era, marked by Russification policies and repression of Ukrainian dissidents.

Brezhnev’s great-grandson was captured in the Kherson region, – media

The Coordination Headquarters publicly confirmed that Milaev had been captured on Ukrainian-controlled territory in Kherson Oblast. The 34th Separate Marine Brigade “Borysfen” posted a Facebook statement indicating that Ukrainian marines were holding the prisoner and that Russian media had previously sought explanations for his disappearance.

Ukrainian marines captured Brezhnev’s great-grandson in the Kherson region

Sources disagree on the name of Brezhnev’s daughter—Halyna in one report, Galina in another. The mother’s statement refers to Milaev as “the son,” while other accounts label him the great-grandson of Brezhnev. No precise date or exact location of the capture is provided, and details about his condition remain absent.

Brezhnev’s great-grandson was captured in the Kherson region, – media

• “Russian media were looking for an explanation for the disappearance of Brezhnev’s great-grandson. It turned out that all this time he had been held captive by Ukrainian marines” — 34th Separate Marine Brigade “Borysfen” Facebook post

Ukrainian marines captured Brezhnev’s great-grandson in the Kherson region

• “As his mother Iryna Kuznetsova said, after several months word arrived — the son is being held captive on territories controlled by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Kherson Oblast” — Post quoting Iryna Kuznetsova

Brezhnev’s great-grandson was captured in the Kherson region, – media

Russian authorities say they will monitor Milaev’s status, while Ukrainian officials have not disclosed plans for his treatment or any possible exchange. Media coverage is expected to continue as the case illustrates personal dimensions of the broader conflict.

Ukrainian marines captured Brezhnev’s great-grandson in the Kherson region