Veronika Zhilina

Veronika Zhilina
Zhilina at the 2020 Russian Figure Skating Cup
Personal information
Native name
Вероника Владиславовна Жилина
Full nameVeronika Vladislavovna Zhilina
Born (2008-05-15) 15 May 2008
Severodvinsk, Arkhangelsk, Russia
Home townMoscow, Russia
Height142 cm (4 ft 8 in)
Figure skating career
Country Azerbaijan (since 2026)
 Russia (until 2023)
CoachEvgeni Plushenko
Ludmila Alferova
Skating clubAcademy “Angely Plushenko”
Began skating2011

Veronika Vladislavovna Zhilina (Russian: Вероника Владиславовна Жилина; born 15 May 2008) is a Russian-born Azerbaijani figure skater. Skating for Russia, she is the 2021 JGP Slovakia champion, the 2023 Russian Junior Grand Prix Final champion and the 2023 Russian Junior national silver medalist.[1][2]

She has performed various quadruple jumps.[3] At the age of 10, Zhilina became the youngest skater in history to perform quad-toe loop jump during the competition.[4] Representing native Russia, she built successful junior career, but in 2025 received Azerbaijani passport and made a decision to start representing Azerbaijan. According to Yana Rudkovskaya, the CEO of "Angely Plushenko" academy where Zhilina has been coached, the main causes of such decision were lack of financial support from Russian Figure Skating Federation, as well as long-lasting federation-imposed ban to enter Russian national competitions after being granted an Azerbaijani citizenship.[5] Since 2026, Zhilina is a member of Azerbaijani national figure skating team, being admitted there on July 2, 2026 according to the statement of Azerbaijani Federation of Winter Sports.[6]

Personal life

Veronika Zhilina was born in Severodvinsk, Arkhangelsk, Russia on 15 May 2008.[7] Her sister, Alena, who is two years younger, is also a figure skater.[8]

In May 2025, Zhilina became an Azerbaijani citizen and surrendered her Russian citizenship after turning eighteen as per the country's sole citizenship law.[9][10][11]

Career

Skating for Russia

Early career

Zhilina began skating at the age of three with her mother, Ludmila Alferova, being her first coach.[12][13] She initially trained at Youth Sports School “Kaskad” in Arkhangelsk before briefly relocating to Severodvinsk where she trained at Sports and Recreation Center “Zvezdochka”.[14][12]

At the age of ten, Zhilina moved to Moscow and joined Eteri Tutberidze's group of skaters at Sambo-70, “Khrustalny”. In addition to Tutberidze, her other coaches included Sergei Dudakov, Sergei Rozanov, and Daniil Gleikhengauz. In June 2020, it was announced that Zhilina had transferred to Academy “Angely Plushenko” after her main coach, Sergei Rozanov, got a job there and invited Zhilina to join him. Upon transferring, Evgeni Plushenko joined her coaching team and Zhilina's mother was also hired to coach the skating academy.[14][12][7][15][16]

2020–2021 season: Junior debut

Zhilina performing at the 2020 Moscow VTB Arena Ice Show

Debuting on the junior level, Zhilina competed at 2020 Russian Cup Stage IV, Kazan and 2020 Russian Cup Stage V, Moscow, winning silver at both events.[17]

In January, she competed at the 2021 Russian Junior Championships, finishing in twelfth place. Zhilina then concluded her season by placing eighth at the 2021 Russian Cup Final.[17]

2021–2022 season: International debut

Zhilina started her season in September by making her international debut on the Junior Grand Prix, winning the gold medal at 2021 JGP Slovakia ahead of teammates, Sofia Muravieva and Adeliia Petrosian.[18] Following the event, Zhilina sprained her ankle and was forced to withdraw from 2021 JGP Poland.[12][19]

In January, Zhilina competed at the 2022 Russian Junior Championships, where she placed fourth in the short program and sixteenth in the free skate to finish twelfth overall. She then finished her season with a fourth-place finish at the 2022 Russian Cup Final.[17]

In March, the ISU banned all figure skaters and officials from Russia and Belarus from competing in international competitions due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February.[20]

2022–2023 season: Russian Junior Grand Prix Final champion

Due to the banning of Russian skaters from competing internationally, Zhilina competed domestically throughout the season on the junior level. She started her season in the fall by winning gold at both 2022 Russian Grand Prix II, Sochi and 2022 Russian Grand Prix IV, Moscow.[17]

In February, Zhilina won the silver medal at the 2023 Russian Junior Championships behind Alina Gorbacheva after placing ninth in the short program and winning the free skate.[21] Zhilina then concluded her season by winning gold at the 2023 Russian Grand Prix Final.[17]

2023–2024 season: Spinal injury

In September, Zhilina partook in the season's Russian Test Skates, an event where Russian skaters debut their programs without being scored.[22] However, due to a spinal injury, she subsequently withdrew from her two assigned Russian Grand Prix events following the advice of her doctors.[23][24]

2024–2026: Hiatus, request to represent Azerbaijan, and allegations against Sergei Rozanov

During the summer of 2024, Zhilina's spinal injury worsened and as a result was forced to sit out the entirety of the 2024–25 season.[23][25]

In April 2025, Zhilina and her mother, Ludmila Alferova, publicly accused Zhilina's former coach, Sergei Rozanov, of sexually harassing Zhilina when she was eleven years old. "Sergei Rozanov came to my room during training camp in Kislovodsk in 2021," shared then sixteen-year old Zhilina during an interview with Match TV. "He offered and spent a long time persuading me to give him a massage, but I refused, as I was the only one in the room at the time. The same thing happened in the gym, also in Kislovodsk, after the warm-up, where he insisted on it even after all the athletes and coaches had left the gym. He came with a can of beer and coached me in the room."[26][27][28] Rozanov vehemently denied the allegations, saying, "Everything said about me is an absolute lie."[29]

Yana Rudkovskaya, the wife of Evgeni Plushenko, who had allegedly learned of Zhilina's allegations at the time of his departure from the academy 2021, wrote a lengthy response to Rozanov's comment, saying, "I advise you to think twice before giving such interviews regarding the 'lies' about you told by the underage athletes you worked with before our eyes. You humiliated, insulted, and beat countless children with blankets before you came to our academy. And everyone believed you'd changed your approach to athletes! But that doesn't mean you've been forgiven for your past achievements. We've already had more than ten such cases in three days, and those are just the ones that were reported to me personally."[30] The International Skating Union (ISU) also commented on the allegations saying, "The International Skating Union (ISU) is deeply concerned by the recent allegations made by Russian figure skater Veronika Zhilina regarding alleged misconduct by her coach, Sergei Rozanov. The ISU takes all allegations of harassment, abuse, or inappropriate behavior extremely seriously. If the allegations are confirmed, the ISU will take all appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the ISU's rules and in coordination with the national federations concerned. In light of these allegations, the ISU approaches the matter with a firm commitment to confidentiality and respect for the wishes and well-being of the skater."[31]

In May 2025, Zhilina announced via Instagram that she had undergone spinal surgery and shared that she had received an Azerbaijani passport with plans to start representing the county.[24] In July of that year, the ISU and Russian Figure Skating Federation denied her transfer, citing her continued status as a Russian national team member. CEO of the Russian Figure Skating Federation Aleksandr Kogan publicly announced that the federation would be willing to help Zhilina if she decided to continue representing Russia.[32] Head of the Russian Figure Skating Federation, Anton Sikharulidze, stated that Zhilina's denied transfer was due to her failing to inform the Ministry of Internal Affairs within sixty days of obtaining her Azerbaijani citizenship.[33]

Skating for Azerbaijan

2026–2027 season

In May 2026, the Figure Skating Federation of Russia released Zhilina and the International Skating Union approved her request transfer to the Azerbaijani national team.[34][11]

Media

Zhilina featured in the Russian movie, "Lyod 3" (also known as Ice 3) where she portrayed the character of Albina; a figure skater who serves as a rival to the main heroine in the romantic sports drama.[35]

Programs

Season Short program Free skating
2023–2024
[36]
2022–2023
[37][38]
2021–2022
[7]
2020–2021
[39][40]
2019–2020
[41][42]
2018–2019
[43][44]
2017–2018
[45][46]

Competitive highlights

Skating for Azerbaijan

Competition placements at senior level [47]
Season 2026–27
CS Kinoshita Group Cup TBD

Skating for Russia

Competition placements at junior level [17][47]
Season 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23
Russian Championships 12th 12th 2nd
Russian Grand Prix Final[nb 1] 8th 4th 1st
Russian GP Stage 2[nb 2] 1st
Russian GP Stage 4 2nd 1st
Russian GP Stage 5 2nd
JGP Slovakia 1st

Detailed results

ISU personal best scores in the +5/-5 GOE System 
Segment Type Score Event
Total TSS 216.92 2021 JGP Slovakia
Short program TSS 71.57 2021 JGP Slovakia
TES 40.51 2021 JGP Slovakia
PCS 31.06 2021 JGP Slovakia
Free skating TSS 145.35 2021 JGP Slovakia
TES 83.43 2021 JGP Slovakia
PCS 62.92 2021 JGP Slovakia

Skating for Russia

Results in the 2020–21 season [17]
Date Event SP FS Total
P Score P Score P Score
8–12 Nov 2020 Russia 2020 Russian Cup Stage IV, Kazan 2 71.05 3 126.40 2 197.45
5–8 Dec 2020 Russia 2020 Russian Cup Stage V, Moscow 2 77.28 4 118.36 2 195.64
2–5 Jan 2021 Russia 2021 Russian Junior Championships 14 58.91 11 121.88 12 180.79
26 Feb – 2 Mar 2021 Russia 2021 Russian Cup Final 12 53.18 4 131.57 8 184.75
Results in the 2021–22 season [17]
Date Event SP FS Total
P Score P Score P Score
1–4 Sep 2021 Slovakia 2021 JGP Slovakia 2 71.57 1 145.35 1 216.92
18–22 Jan 2022 Russia 2022 Russian Junior Championships 4 69.91 16 111.07 12 180.98
26 Feb – 2 Mar 2022 Russia 2022 Russian Cup Final 10 59.74 3 136.34 4 196.08
Results in the 2022–23 season [17]
Date Event SP FS Total
P Score P Score P Score
26–28 Oct 2022 Russia 2022 Russian Grand Prix II, Sochi 1 76.67 1 156.51 1 233.18
8–11 Nov 2022 Russia 2022 Russian Grand Prix IV, Moscow 1 78.71 1 142.43 1 221.14
14–18 Feb 2022 Russia 2023 Russian Junior Championships 9 66.94 1 151.85 2 218.79
1–3 Mar 2023 Russia 2023 Russian Grand Prix Final 2 71.75 1 150.70 1 222.45

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Ref.
2024 "Lyod 3" Albina [35]

Notes

  1. ↑ The 2023 Russian Cup Final was renamed as the 2023 Russian Grand Prix Final.[48]
  2. ↑ In 2022, the Russian Cup Stages were renamed to Russian Grand Prix Stages.[49]

References

  1. ↑ "Skating Scores: Latest Figure Skating Results, Scores, Rankings & Statistics". skatingscores.com. Retrieved 2026-03-15.
  2. ↑ Зуева, Екатерина (2026-06-18). "Фигуристка Вероника Жилина: победы, травмы и попытка вернуться на большой лед". Спорт Mail (in Russian). Retrieved 2026-08-15.
  3. ↑ "Veronika ZHILINA - International Skating Union". isu-skating.com. Retrieved 2026-03-15.
  4. ↑ "Юная фигуристка Вероника Жилина установила мировой рекорд | Реестр рекордов России" (in Russian). 2019-12-19. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
  5. ↑ Сидорчик, Андрей (2025-07-16). "Постучись в мой Баку. Грязные тайны перехода фигуристки Жилиной". AiF (in Russian). Retrieved 2026-08-15.
  6. ↑ 1news.az. "Вероника Жилина вошла в сборную Азербайджана по фигурному катанию". 1news.az (in Russian). Retrieved 2026-08-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. 1 2 3 "Veronika ZHILINA: 2021/2022". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 21 February 2026.
  8. ↑ Чистова, Елена. "10-летняя Алёна Жилина из «Ангелов Плющенко» исполнила на тренировке аксель в 3,5 оборота". Championat. Championat. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "Ученица Плющенко получила паспорт страны, которую ей не дали представлять". rbc.ru. rbc.ru. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  10. ↑ Фархтдинова, Оксана. "Тур-путёвка или гражданский паспорт. Почему Жилина так рвётся стать азербайджанкой". sovsport.ru. sovsport.ru. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  11. 1 2 "Veronika ZHILINA - International Skating Union". isu-skating.com. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Жуков, Влад. "«Когда только пришла к Плющенко, все время чего-то боялась». Жилина — о Северодвинске, маме и самых сложных прыжках". Match TV. Match TV. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  13. ↑ "Мама Жилиной о переходе к Плющенко в 2020-м: «Нас позвал Розанов, мы отказались. Но потом вышла новость, что мы перешли, и нам некуда было деваться»". Sports.RU. Sports.RU. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  14. 1 2 "Veronika Zhilina - Жилина Вероника Владиславовна". All Skaters. All Skaters. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  15. ↑ "Трусова и Жилина официально перешли из «Самбо-70» в академию Плющенко". Sports.RU. Sports.RU. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  16. ↑ "Фигуристка Жилина рассказала о домогательствах со стороны тренера Розанова". Sports.RU. Sports.RU. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "RUS–Veronika Zhilina". Skating Scores. Skating Scores. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  18. ↑ "- Junior Women". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 2026-03-15.
  19. ↑ "🇷🇺 Veronika Zhilina's withdrawal from the Junior Grand Prix is reportedly due to injury". X. Anything GOEs. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  20. ↑ "ISU Statement on the Ukrainian crisis - Participation in international competitions of Skaters and Officials from Russia and Belarus". International Skating Union. International Skating Union. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  21. ↑ "2023 Russian Junior Nationals - Junior Womens Final Results". Skating Scores. Skating Scores. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  22. ↑ "Вероника Жилина. Женщины. Произвольная программа. Контрольные прокаты сборной России 2023". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  23. 1 2 Зуева, Екатерина. "Фигуристка Вероника Жилина: победы, травмы и попытка вернуться на большой лед". sportmail.ru. sportmail.ru. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  24. 1 2 Zhilina, Veronika. "Dear friends, thank you all for your concern". Instagram. Instagram. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  25. ↑ "Ученица Плющенко Вероника Жилина пропустит сезон, чтобы устранить проблемы со здоровьем. Она не соревновалась с весны 2023 года". Sports.RU. Sports.RU. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  26. ↑ "Обвиненного в домогательствах Розанова признали лучшим тренером в Эстонии". rbc.ru. rbc.ru. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  27. ↑ "Фигуристка Жилина рассказала о домогательствах со стороны тренера Розанова". Sports.RU. Sports.RU. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  28. ↑ "Рудковская об обвинениях Жилиной в адрес Розанова: «Я сказала Нике: это мазок темной краски на всю его карьеру. Она ответила: Яна Александровна, это было, я вам клянусь»". Sports.RU. Sports.RU. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  29. ↑ "Сергей Розанов: «Все сказанное про меня – абсолютная ложь»". Sports.RU. Sports.RU. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  30. ↑ "Рудковская заявила, что тренер Розанов унижал огромное количество детей". rbc.ru. rbc.ru. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  31. ↑ "ISU о возможных домогательствах Розанова к Жилиной: «Если обвинения подтвердятся, мы примем все соответствующие дисциплинарные меры»". Sports.RU. Sports.RU. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  32. ↑ "Федерация поддержит фигуристку Жилину, если она останется в России". www.gazeta.ru. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
  33. ↑ "Сихарулидзе о Жилиной: «Гражданин РФ при получении второго гражданства обязан в течение 60 дней уведомить МВД. Ничего подобного со стороны Вероники сделано не было»". Sport.RU. Sport.RU. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  34. ↑ "Фигуристка Жилина получила разрешение выступать за Азербайджан". rbc.ru. rbc.ru. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  35. 1 2 "Lyod 3 (2024) - Full cast & crew". IMDB. 2026-06-10. Archived from the original on 2026-06-10. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
  36. ↑ "Вероника Жилина: «В короткой программе я представляю, что оказываюсь в замкнутом пространстве, меня одолевает страх. Пытаюсь справиться с эмоциями»". Sports.RU. Sports.RU. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  37. ↑ Авдонина, Екатерина. "У Плющенко растёт будущая звезда. Сможет ли она противостоять фигуристкам Тутберидзе?". Championat. Championat. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  38. ↑ Бебякин, Дмитрий. "Фигуристка Жилина способна стать великой спортсменкой, заявила Радионова". Match TV. Match TV. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  39. ↑ "Veronika ZHILINA - Ladies Short Program #29 - Moscow Junior Championships 2020-9-3". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  40. ↑ "Veronika ZHILINA - Ladies Free Skating #19 - Moscow Junior Championships 2020-9-4". YouTube. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  41. ↑ "Вероника Жилина. Короткая программа. 2020г". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  42. ↑ "Вероника Жилина. Произвольная программа. Первенство Москвы младший возраст. 2020 год". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  43. ↑ "Veronika Zhilina(2008), SP, 2019.04.15 Open championship "Snow Leopards" "Star Ball"". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  44. ↑ "Вероника Жилина, ПП (Veronika Zhilina, FS), младшие, Первенство Москвы младшего возраста 2019". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  45. ↑ "ベロニカ・ジリナ（Вероника Жилина）SP　Открытые юношеские соревнования «Пасха 2018»". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  46. ↑ "ベロニカ・ジリナ（Вероника ЖИЛИНА）2 сп.FP ЦСКА "Призы Деда Мороза"". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  47. 1 2 "Veronika ZHILINA: Competition Results". International Skating Union. International Skating Union. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  48. ↑ "2023 Sr Russian GP Final". Skating Scores. Skating Scores. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  49. ↑ "2022 Sr Russian GP Stage 1". Skating Scores. Skating Scores. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
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