Ukrainian actor and director Akhtem Seitablaev, 53, has appeared at a public event for the first time accompanied by his new girlfriend. The couple attended the pre-premiere screening of the family comedy 'Rodychi' together, with Elena staying by the director's side while he spoke with journalists. "This is my girlfriend. Her name is Elena," Seitablaev introduced his partner, naming for the first time the woman who has become part of his personal life following his high-profile breakup with his fiancée.

How they met: cinema as a point of intersection

According to Elena herself, their first meeting took place at a screening of the film 'Home' directed by Nariman Aliev, in which Akhtem Seitablaev played the lead role. "We met at a film screening. It was during one of the showings of 'Home'," she told journalists. Thus, it was precisely cinema that became the space where their paths crossed, which looks entirely organic for a person living in the world of film.

What is known about Elena: a public figure outside show business

In the summer of 2026, the director first admitted to a new romance, but at that time he did not name his partner. He only noted that she is a little younger than him and works as a public figure. According to Seitablaev, Elena is not connected to acting or journalism. He described her as wise, intelligent, and hardworking, confessing that he feels secure beside her. At the 'Rodychi' screening, the couple confirmed these words but did not reveal any additional details about her professional activities.

The 'romantic' stage and a refusal to give details

When asked what stage their relationship is currently at, Akhtem answered briefly: "Romantic." Meanwhile, when Elena began answering the journalists' questions, the director jokingly asked her not to reveal everything at once. "Don't give it all away! We need to release the information gradually. The journalists will wear you out later. Seriously, we are not ready to tell much about ourselves yet," he noted. The couple deliberately limits the flow of information about their personal life, leaving room for privacy.

Context: previous relationship with Maryana Botsvinyuk

Seitablaev's new romance attracted particular public interest against the backdrop of his previous relationship with Maryana Botsvinyuk, who is 20 years younger than the director. The couple was engaged and was planning a wedding, but later split up. The reasons for the breakup were not publicly commented on, and the director himself only admitted that he found it hard to get over the end of that relationship. It was precisely after this breakup, in the summer of 2026, that he first spoke about a new woman in his life.

The couple is not yet ready to reveal details

Thus, Elena's appearance at the pre-premiere screening of 'Rodychi' became the first public confirmation of a relationship that Seitablaev had only hinted at a few months earlier. The couple consciously draws a boundary between the public and the private, limiting themselves to minimal statements. For fans of the director's work, this event became a notable point in his personal life, however Akhtem himself and his girlfriend emphasize that they are ready to share details only when they deem it appropriate.