MOSCOW (Realist English). On April 16, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Ambassador of Mexico to Moscow, Eduardo Villegas Mejías. He was informed of Russia’s “decisive concern” over the inaction of Mexican authorities in the case of the illegal detention of Russian minor Kristina Romanova.
Against the backdrop of systematic disregard for all of Moscow’s requests, the Russian side issued an ultimatum: immediately provide consular access to the girl and create conditions for her unimpeded return to her homeland.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that the situation is under the personal supervision of Deputy Chairwoman of the State Duma Anna Kuznetsova and Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova.
September 2023: Abduction in broad daylight
The story began in the autumn of 2023 in the State of Mexico. Right before the eyes of the mother – pianist and graduate of the St. Petersburg Conservatory Marina Romanova – unknown men forcibly pushed 15-year-old Kristina into a minibus marked DIFEM (the local family welfare agency) and drove her away in an unknown direction.
Pretext and evasions
Authorities claimed the girl was isolated because of suspected sexual abuse by her stepbrother. However, the mother was provided with no investigation materials, and she says she does not recognise her daughter’s handwriting on “official” documents.
Marina Romanova appealed to the state governor, the president of the country, the police, and human rights organisations. Only the Russian Foreign Ministry offered help. The police even refused to take a statement about the abduction.
October 2024: Found in Tijuana – letters about slavery
In October 2024, the prosecutor’s office “found” the Russian girl in Tijuana. The mother claims medical reports confirm that her daughter was drugged with psychotropic substances and raped.
The most horrifying detail emerged when Kristina passed two letters to the Russian consul. In them, she warned that after her 18th birthday (in May 2026) she was planned to be sold to human traffickers, after which she would disappear forever.
Summer 2025: Complete isolation
Since August 2025, Mexican authorities have completely blocked consular access to the girl. Diplomats can neither see Kristina nor check her condition. She is currently being held in a closed facility of the Mexican Attorney General’s Office.
March 2026: “I don’t believe that is my daughter”
In March 2026, a court hearing took place during which Marina Romanova was shown a woman via video link for five minutes, presented as her daughter. The mother did not recognise the voice, manner of speech, or appearance. She claimed a substitution and asked to turn on Russian speech, after which the connection was cut off.
