What other people say:

“Ludmila Melnikoff’s For the Love of Russian Gold . . . recounts harrowing tales from her past, including kidnapping, encounters with brown bears, sandstorms, bribery, and bugged devices, highlighting the pervasive dangers of her pursuit in mining for Russian gold. I am surprised she made it out alive.”

Holly Mayes, author of Dream, Girl

“This fast-moving, page-turning book is by a woman who does not know the word ‘no’ and like a Spanish toreador goes into the arena of high-stakes, high-finance deals and waves the red cape at the storming bull—in this case, none other than Russia’s leaders, Gorbachev and Yeltsin.”

Laurinel Owen, author of Strings Attached

“Written from actual experience and a matter of record, the content could only have been exposed by someone with an incredible in-depth knowledge of actual events. What amazes the reader is the realization that this is not a fictional drama. It reads like a novel with all the thrills interwoven of love, power, adventure, corruption, and life-and-death scenarios as each page unfolds. It’s a ‘can't put down’ read and highly recommended.”

Ric Lawes, author and movie producer

My Memoir is Available!

I am both proud and thrilled to announce the release of For the Love of Russian Gold AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, GOODREADS and many other book sites; published by Koehler Books, USA.

Explore my newly released riveting memoir For the Love of Russian Gold where love and gold collide in my life amid the perils of the KGB, Russian mafia, spies, shadow governments, and drug cartels. My daring story of dangerous alliances and a turbulent romance with an Australian businessman offers captivating insights into global politics and the intricacies of love and abuse. It also reveals many secrets of the Russian Government from the1990s and now.

What Elon Musk’s Grok says:

For the Love of Russian Gold unveils the shadowy corridors of Russian government corruption during the tumultuous 1990’s. This compelling narrative peels back the layers of an intricate web woven by Yeltsin, Putin, the KGB, the Russian mafia, and spies, reaching as far as the future Prime Minister of Australia. At the heart of this true story is Ludmila - a courageous Australian businesswoman of Russian heritage whose tenacity and brilliance guided her through a perilous landscape of deceit and betrayal. Her journey is one of resilience and determination, as she navigates the treacherous waters of a high-stake gold mining venture worth US$20 billion, risking everything to succeed. For the Love of Russian Gold is not just a memoir; it's an eye-opening adventure that challenges the boundaries of power and survival in a country where Western ethics do not exist.

From left to right: Katya Shevelova (KGB operative/spy), Ian MacNee (Australian businessman), Yeltsin (Russia’s first president), Ludmila (me, Australian businesswoman)

Living Life on my Terms

Author's Insight

I live in a penthouse in a beautiful serene six-star resort on the Central Coast of New South Wales in Australia. I jokingly call it “my retirement home”. It’s gated and secure – in case Putin sends someone to “chat” to me after my upcoming book “For the Love of Russian Gold” is released on 15 April 2025! After a very full and adventurous life, meeting people from all walks of life (not all of them decent, and some even dangerous), I am now enjoying a peaceful existence which hopefully will continue.

The love of my life is an adorable Shiba Inu called Ragnar (named after Ragnar Lothbrok from my favourite series, “Vikings”). He is very loving, feisty and super smart – he, as well as my family, have helped me get through the most brutal and anguishing times during my recent divorce.

I am excited about this new chapter in my life and so thrilled that my memoir “For The Love Of Russian Gold” has finally been published by a US publisher, Koehler Books. It’s a dream come true, and I can’t wait for it to be released for everyone to read (apart from Putin)!

Explore My World

FOR THE LOVE OF RUSSIAN GOLD

I was born in Australia of Russian aristocracy. Lured by the home of my ancestors, I travelled to Russia in 1989 after Gorbachev opened up the country to foreign investment. I “found” Lenzoloto, a local Siberian gold mining project which had mining rights to the world’s largest gold deposit – at the time a State secret; found Ian MacNee, an international mining magnate; nurtured the negotiations; helped frame the exciting joint venture and attracted Malcolm Turnbull, Australia’s future Prime Minister.

I had no idea what wide roller coaster ride I was about to embark on involving an ill-fated love story, Yeltsin, Putin, the KGB, Russian mafia, death threats and synthetic drugs. At the end of the amazing, and, at times, shocking saga I decided to pen my exotic tale called For The Love Of Russian Gold, to be released in April 2025, which will be the most exciting event in my very colourful life!