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Roman Abramovich linked with 25-year-old model amid Chelsea exit

Roman Abramovich, pictured here in his role as Chelsea owner.
Roman Abramovich has been linked to 25-year-old model Alexandra Korendyuk. Image: Instagram/Getty

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich is reportedly dating a 25-year-old model and actress with Ukrainian roots amid his ugly exit from Chelsea.

Australia became the latest country to slap sanctions on the Russian oligarch on Monday following similar action by the British government.

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Abramovich was disqualified from running Chelsea Football Club on Saturday by the Premier League board after the government imposed an asset freeze and travel ban on the oligarch over his links to Vladimir Putin.

Amidst the drama, details have emerged about the billionaire's 'secret relationship' with 25-year-old model Alexandra Korendyuk.

Korendyuk is an entrepreneur and TV star who recently appeared on Russian show 'You’re All P***ing Me Off'.

Russian columnist Bozhena Rynska first reported that Abramovich was romantically involved with Korendyuk late last year, with British tabloid The Sun also making the claims this week.

“Roman Abramovich’s new girlfriend is very interesting," Rynska wrote.

“At the beginning of the year, rumours started that the oligarch’s heart had been won over by Alexandra Korendyuk.

“There is very little information about the girl, but it is said that she is the founder of a company in the music industry. Abramovich’s date has also tried her hand as an actress.”

Korendyuk is reportedly the founder of the Institute of Music Initiatives, helping up-and-coming musicians in Russia.

In an ironic twist, her name reportedly has Ukrainian roots.

“It is ironic Abramovich has been linked with a lady with a Ukrainian background just as he’s been sanctioned because of the war and his links to Putin," a source told The Sun.

“It is easy to see what he would see in her and this is apparently a relationship that has been going on for up to a year.”

Roman Abramovich and Vladimir Putin, pictured here at a meeting with top businessmen in Russia in 2016.
Roman Abramovich and Vladimir Putin at a meeting with top businessmen in Russia in 2016. (Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images) (Mikhail Svetlov via Getty Images)

Australia imposes sanctions on Roman Abramovich

Abramovich was one of seven wealthy Russians targeted by the UK government in a further round of sanctions last week, which involved asset freezes, travel bans and an embargo on transactions with UK individuals and businesses.

Australia's latest round of sanctions also include more than 30 Russian individuals.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also spoken to his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte about Russian sanctions, military and humanitarian support for Ukraine as well as implications for the Indo-Pacific region.

Mr Morrison also said the two countries would continue to pursue accountability for MH17, which was shot down over eastern Ukraine by Russian separatists in 2014.

"We owe it to the victims," Mr Rutte said on Twitter following the phone call.

Roman Abramovich's superyacht 'Solaris', pictured here arriving in the waters of Porto Montenegro.
Roman Abramovich's superyacht 'Solaris' arrives in the waters of Porto Montenegro after the British government slapped sanctions on him. (Photo by Filip Filipovic/Getty Images) (Filip Filipovic via Getty Images)

The Premier League's decision to disqualify Abramovich from being a director accelerates the end of his 19 years in control of the reigning world and European champions.

League regulations would usually require Abramovich to relinquish control within 28 days, but the British government now has a say in the sale process under the terms of the license that allows the team to continue operating despite the owner's assets being frozen.

The British government welcomed the Premier League's move against Abramovich, characterising the disqualification as being part of holding "those who have enabled the Putin regime" to account.

"We are open to a sale of the club and would consider an application for a license to allow that to happen," the government said.

Before the latest sanctions, Abramovich had been trying to sell Chelsea for as much as $5 billion.

with AAP

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