Russian millionaire had four children during 13-year affair

A RUSSIAN millionaire “cruelly deceived” his wife after having four children with a mistress he hid for 13 years, the High Court has heard.

Mr Justice Holman yesterday described Artur Trapitsyn’s behaviour as “treacherous” and said he treated his wife Victoria Trapitsyna, 48, with contempt.

He criticised Mr Trapitsyn, a former soldier who lives in Moscow, after analysing Mrs Trapitsyna’s claim for funds following the breakdown of their 25year marriage.

The judge ruled that 50-year-old Mr Trapitsyn should hand Mrs Trapitsyna, who lives in Northwood, north-west London, £2.2million after considering evidence at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

Mrs Trapitsyna, who has dual Russian and British citizenship, had wanted £4 million.

She said Mr Trapitsyn, who did not attend the hearing and was not represented by lawyers, has business interests in Russia and is worth millions of pounds.

The judge heard that the pair grew up in Russia and married in 1982. They have two children, both now grown up.

Mr Justice Holman said: “For 13 years, he had lived a double life, completely unknown to his wife.”

The judge said Mrs Trapitsyna filed for divorce in England, but Mr Trapitsyn obtained a divorce decree in Russia “behind her back” and stopped negotiating in 2017. She subsequently started litigation in London.