Sanctioned Abramovich is reportedly dating an actress with 'Ukrainian heritage'

Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has been romantically linked to a stunning actress with Ukrainian heritage who is more than half his age.

The sanctioned tycoon is reportedly secretly seeing the beautiful TV star Alexandra Korendyuk, 25, who most recently appeared in a Russian show entitled 'You're All P***ing Me Off'.

The Chelsea owner, who is facing a race against time to sell the club after he was this week disqualified as a director by the Premier League, was romantically linked to Ms Korendyuk by renowned Russian gossip columnist Bozhena Rynska.

Although little is publicly known about the actress-turned-entrepreneur, she is said to have started 'dating' the oligarch at the turn of the year.

Rynska reportedly said: 'Roman Abramovich's new girlfriend is very interesting.

'At the beginning of the year, rumours started that the oligarch's heart had been won over by Alexandra Korendyuk.

'There is very little information about the girl, but it is said that she is the founder of a company in the music industry.'

Meanwhile, experts say Ms Korendyuk's surname points to a Ukrainian heritage.

A source told the Sun: 'It's ironic Abramovich has been linked with a lady with a Ukrainian background just as he’s been sanctioned because of the war and his links to Putin.

'It is easy to see what he would see in her and this is apparently a relationship that has been going on for up to a year.

Ms Korendyuk is reportedly the founder of the Institute of Music Initiatives, which serves to help kickstart the career of aspiring musicians.

And during her acting career she played a hostess in two episodes of a Moscow-based series.

It comes as the Premier League disqualified Mr Abramovich from running Chelsea after the Russian was sanctioned by the British government over Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine.

'The board's decision does not impact on the club's ability to train and play its fixtures, as set out under the terms of a licence issued by the Government which expires on 31 May 2022,' the league said.

Chelsea sources had warned the club was two weeks away from bankruptcy after Ministers hit Abramovich with sanctions due to his close ties with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) welcomed Abramovich's disqualification.

The government body said: 'The government has made clear that we need to hold to account those who have enabled the Putin regime.'

In light of the news BBC sports commentator, Gary Lineker, said a 'fit and proper person test' is long overdue in football.

He added: 'An independent regulator is probably the only way to do this.'

The Government claims the Russian oligarch, who has owned Chelsea since 2003, received financial benefits from the Kremlin - including tax breaks for his companies, the buying and selling of shares from and to the state at favourable rates and contracts in the run up to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, it was claimed.

The New York Merchant Bank the Raine Group has also agreed to Chelsea's sale proceeding with Government approval, it's understood.

On Friday, Chelsea asked the Government to ease sanctions to save them from going bust in 17 days as ministers consider forcing through the club's £3billion sale without Roman Abramovich giving permission or getting any of the cash.

Sources said the new terms will allow the club to use payments due from broadcasting companies and any prize money earned to meet its outgoings. That should see the £28 million monthly wage bill covered for the rest of the season.

Chelsea will also be allowed to spend up to £900,000 per home match at Stamford Bridge to cover costs such as paying stadium staff and catering.

Discussions were ongoing last night about whether Chelsea can sell match tickets in addition to the season tickets already sold.