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Portrait of Vladimir Zhirinovsky

Photo: Unknown author Unknown author · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in Kazakhstan · Nationality Russian — Politics / nationalism / State Duma / foreign policy / public conduct

Vladimir Zhirinovsky

Politics and government

Documented profile covering 12 controversies, including “2014: misogynistic tirade against pregnant journalist and call for sexual violence” and “2014: active support for Crimea annexation and Donbas separatists — EU sanctions”.

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Profile No. 2497 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of Vladimir Zhirinovsky

Photo: Unknown author Unknown author · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
12Documented controversies
13Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

18–23 April 2014

2014: misogynistic tirade against pregnant journalist and call for sexual violence

No legal proceedings

During a Duma press conference, Zhirinovsky insulted a pregnant journalist and urged men in his entourage to 'rape her brutally', prompting media and parliamentary condemnation.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 4

  1. [1]
    ReutersRussian nationalist leader verbally insults pregnant female journalist during news conferenceNews agencyVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    РБКЖириновский оскорбил беременную журналистку на пресс-конференцииPressHigh reliability
  3. [3]
    The Moscow TimesEthics Committee Advises Zhirinovsky to Apologize Publicly for Rape TiradePressHigh reliability
  4. [4]
    ИнтерфаксЖириновский принес публичные извинения оскорбленным им журналисткамNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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02

2014

2014: active support for Crimea annexation and Donbas separatists — EU sanctions

Civil / administrative proceedings

The European Union placed Zhirinovsky on its sanctions list, citing his active support for the use of Russian forces in Ukraine, the annexation of Crimea and the division of Ukraine, as well as his political links to the self-proclaimed 'Donetsk People's Republic'.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    EUR-Lex / Council of the European UnionCouncil Implementing Decision 2014/801/CFSPOfficial documentVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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03

October 2013

2013: proposal to isolate North Caucasus and restrict births

No legal proceedings

Zhirinovsky proposed surrounding the North Caucasus with barbed wire, controlling movement there and restricting the birth rate, notably prompting the LDPR's Chechen branch to break away.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The Moscow TimesChechen LDPR Breaks With National Organization Over Zhirinovsky CommentsPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Moscow TimesPutin Tells Zhirinovsky to Tone It DownPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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04

February 2013

2013: doctoral thesis plagiarism allegation, denied by Zhirinovsky

No legal proceedings

MP Ilya Ponomaryov accused Zhirinovsky of falsifying or plagiarising his doctoral thesis. Zhirinovsky denied the allegation and announced a defamation response.

Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Moscow TimesPonomaryov Cries Plagiarism, Zhirinovsky Cries LibelPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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05

July 2013

2013: remarks describing British monarchy as 'bloodsuckers'

No legal proceedings

Following Prince George's birth, Zhirinovsky sparked another controversy by attacking the British monarchy with 'bloodsucker' rhetoric.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Moscow TimesZhirinovsky Not Pleased About 'Bloodsucking' Royal BabyPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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06

February 2012

2012: controversy after comparing artists supporting Putin to 'prostitutes'

No legal proceedings

During a televised exchange with Alla Pugacheva, Zhirinovsky used an insulting comparison likening politically active artists to prostitutes, triggering widespread controversy.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Moscow TimesZhirinovsky Takes Heat After 'Prostitute' RemarkPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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07

25 October 2000

2000: Air France flight delayed 70 minutes following security demand

No legal proceedings

Zhirinovsky delayed an Air France flight from Moscow to Paris by approximately 70 minutes after insisting that two bodyguards accompany him.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    КоммерсантъВладимир Жириновский: скандалы лидера ЛДПРPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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08

4 June 1999

1999: threats against MP Vladimir Semago and parliamentary sanction

Civil / administrative proceedings

In response to allegations targeting the LDPR, Zhirinovsky threatened to have MP Vladimir Semago physically removed from the Duma. The chamber barred him from speaking for one sitting.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    КоммерсантъВладимир Жириновский: скандалы лидера ЛДПРPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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09

9 September 1995–11 August 1998

1995–1998: violence against female Duma members and civil judgment against LDPR

Civil / administrative proceedings

During a fight in the Duma in 1995, Zhirinovsky pulled MP Yevgenia Tishkovskaya by the hair and struck her colleague Nina Volkova. In 1998, a court ordered the LDPR to pay compensation to Tishkovskaya.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    КоммерсантъВладимир Жириновский: скандалы лидера ЛДПРPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    RFE/RLRussia: State Duma Rocked By Zhirinovsky ScufflePressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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10

11 March 1998

1998: occupation of rostrum and water thrown at MPs

Allegations

After being denied the floor for making insults, Zhirinovsky occupied the Duma rostrum and sprayed MPs with water. Members of Yabloko filed a complaint.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    КоммерсантъСкандалы с участием Владимира ЖириновскогоPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    RFE/RLRussia: State Duma Rocked By Zhirinovsky ScufflePressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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11

8 April 1994

1994: assault on LDPR colleague and journalist

No legal proceedings

During a political incident, Zhirinovsky physically attacked his colleague Vladimir Borzyuk and journalist Alexei Piatkovski, who subsequently announced legal action.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    КоммерсантъСкандалы с участием Владимира ЖириновскогоPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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12

18 November 1994

1994: public accusations against Sergei Stepashin followed by compensation

Civil / administrative proceedings

In the State Duma, Zhirinovsky called counter-intelligence chief Sergei Stepashin an agent of the CIA and Mossad. Stepashin brought legal action, and Kommersant reports that compensation was paid.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    КоммерсантъСкандалы с участием Владимира ЖириновскогоPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

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