Anastasiia Chikina, 32, is believed to have taken her British toddler Oliver Pugh from Spain to Russia – as the three-year-old’s father claimed ‘she devised a plan to secure primary custody’
The mum of missing British toddler Oliver Pugh has broken her silence – releasing a cryptic message six weeks after allegedly vanishing with the three-year-old.
Spanish police believe Russian influencer Anastasiia Chikina, 32, abducted her son and fled to Russia after a Marbella court handed full custody to Oliver’s British father earlier this summer. Officers are now working with Interpol to obtain an international arrest warrant.
From an undisclosed location, Anastasiia posted online this week: “We have a difficult conversation to have. Talk about how scary it is when the system is against the child. We have time, not much, but we have it, to understand the truth. The truth will not be pleasant to everyone, it usually remains behind closed doors, but here it comes out.”
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Oliver’s dad, 36, who does not wish to be named, told The Sun: “We have no idea where they are – Oliver could be anywhere. Anastasiia appears to have run off with Oliver when she realised she was going to lose custody.”
He claims: “She devised a plan to secure not only primary custody but also continued use of our family home in Marbella – but it failed. As a result, she was set to lose custody and face a period of limited supervised visits. Rather than face that outcome, she appears to have fled – even taking her teenage sister out of school.”
Oliver, described by his dad as a “bright and active little boy” who adores “cars and planes” and splashing in water, disappeared around July 20. He was last seen at Anastasiia’s home in Marbella. Phone calls soon stopped connecting and the property was left deserted.
For more than two weeks, the father clung to the hope they would return – until finally reporting the disappearance to police on August 7. Also missing are Anastasiia’s mother, Angela (Anzhela) Nikolenko, and her 15-year-old sister.
Spanish police say: “The investigation is ongoing. There are no updates we can give you.” In an earlier statement, they confirmed: “We are treating this as a parental abduction. We believe the mother has left Spain and has taken the boy to her homeland which is Russia.”
Oliver’s father, desperate to bring his son home, has offered an £87,000 (€100,000) reward for information. He also made a direct emotional appeal to Anastasiia this week: “Oliver needs and deserves to have both of his parents in his life. By taking him away from his father, his friends, and everything familiar, the only one truly being hurt is Oliver.
“I know you love him and want the best for him, but this is causing pain not just for him, but for you and your family too. Please stop before it gets any harder for everyone.”
Anastasiia, who has 140,000 social media followers, brands herself as a relationship coach, charging clients for advice on love and marriage – despite never having married herself. Oliver is three years and nine months old, 100cm tall, with blonde hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Spain’s National Police, email [email protected], or submit information to this dedicated website. An FCDO Spokesperson told the Mirror: “We are providing support to the family of a British national reported missing in Spain.”