Former Epstein Assistant Svetlana Pozhidaeva Denies Father’s FSB Ties Amid Newly Leaked Intelligence Reports

Svetlana Pozhidaeva speaks to OCCRP about her recruitment role for Jeffrey Epstein, denying reports that her father was a career officer for the Russian FSB.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 30, 2026, 12:05 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from OCCRP and The Newsground

The "Julia Santos" Recruitment Network

For years, Jeffrey Epstein utilized a sophisticated system of pseudonyms and shell accounts to vet and recruit young women across Europe and the United States. One such alias, "Julia Santos," was an email account used by Pozhidaeva and other female assistants to coordinate travel and "Skype interviews" with potential targets. Pozhidaeva, now 42, expressed "shame and regret" for her role in these operations, describing it as the most "embarrassing" chapter of her life. She maintained that her recruitment activities were performed under extreme duress, fueled by Epstein’s physical abuse and psychological domination.

Intelligence Allegations and the Pozhidaev Connection

The release of the "Epstein Files" has cast a spotlight on Pozhidaeva’s father, Yury Pozhidaev, a retired Russian military officer. Leaked documents and employment records suggest a career deeply embedded in the Russian intelligence apparatus.

Security Roles: Pozhidaev served as deputy head of security for Russian Railways in Iran and Caspian Services, positions typically reserved for "seconded personnel" (APS) from the FSB.

FSB Correspondence: Leaked courier databases show Pozhidaev communicated with the FSB pension office in 2022.