Vladimir Putin's daughter is given a major new role in Russia as she rises through the ranks

Vladimir Putin's daughter Katerina Tikhonova has long been tipped for a major political role amid reports of Putin's poor health and it could to be the first sign of a new importance for the former dancer

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Katerina Tikhonova takes part in the Acrobatic Rock'n'Roll dance competition

Vladimir Putin's daughter was parachuted in to help Russia dodge the impact of Western sanctions.

Katerina Tikhonova, 35, is the new co-chair of a high-level group overseeing import substitution.

She has long been tipped for a major political role amid reports of Putin's fragile health and this could be the first sign of newfound notoriety for the former dancer.

She is appointed to the powerful Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP), loyal to the Kremlin, which represents the main public and private companies.

Many Russian companies have been hit hard by sanctions in response to Ukraine's invasion and Tikhonova's new role comes as Putin legalizes sanctions-busting 'parallel imports'

This is to secure a flow of restricted Western goods to Russia via third countries and unauthorized means.

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She is currently the executive director of the low-key National Intellectual Development Foundation (

Picture:

Vesti News/east2west)

The union failed to mention that she is Putin's daughter when it announced that she would co-chair the Coordinating Council on Import Substitution and Technological Independence, which aims to rapidly reduce the dependence of the Russia towards Western products and expertise, thus mitigating the impact of sanctions.< /p>

She is currently the executive director of the low-key National Intellectual Development Foundation.

Tikhonova is Putin's second daughter by former First Lady Lyudmila, his ex-wife.

There has also been speculation that she...