Putin Propagandist Simonian Confronted Over Personal Life at Public Event

Kremlin propagandist Margarita Simonian faced an unexpected and pointed question regarding her personal life during a public meeting with supporters in Moscow's Red Square on Sunday, June 7. The exchange highlighted a rare moment of public scrutiny for the editor-in-chief of RT.

A woman in the audience directly challenged Simonian about her relationship with film director Tigran Keosayan. "Why did you break up a family with young children? As a result, you killed him, and now you are dying too?" the woman asked, according to Dialog. The question alluded to the circumstances of Simonian and Keosayan's relationship, which began when Keosayan was married with children.

Simonian appeared to deflect the question, avoiding a direct response. She suggested that the woman was not speaking spontaneously, noting that she seemed to be reading her question from a phone. Simonian then repeatedly wished the questioner "all the best."

The report details that Simonian met Keosayan in 2012. At the time, Keosayan was married to actress Alena Khmelnitskaia and had two daughters. Simonian became pregnant shortly after their relationship began, and their first child was born before Keosayan finalized his divorce. The couple eventually married in 2022. Keosayan, who had a history of heart problems, died in September 2025 at the age of 59 after a period in a coma following cardiac arrest. Simonian had announced her own cancer diagnosis shortly before his death.

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Why did you break up a family with young children? As a result, you killed him, and now you are dying too?