A Russian Olympic gymnast widely believed to be the mistress of Russian President Vladimir Putin has emerged to headline a patriotic rhythmic gymnastics festival in Moscow.
Alina Kabaeva, 38, appeared to headline her annual ‘Alina Festival’ at the Russian capital’s VTB Arena, and made it clear that she was hiding in Switzerland or a bunker in Siberia.
It was a rare public appearance for the former gymnast, who is believed to be the mistress of the Russian strongman and mother of four of his children, whom he has never officially acknowledged.
She performed alongside hundreds of young children at the heavily patriotic event, which featured performances of a military choir and the infamous Russian “Z” symbol, which has become synonymous with the war in Ukraine.
Their eponymous festival featured some of the Soviet Union’s most patriotic songs celebrating the country’s victory over the Nazis, but the theme was unmistakably designed to bolster support for Putin’s “special military operation” in Ukraine.
The full show will air on May 8, the eve of a huge military parade in Red Square to commemorate “Victory Day,” the end of World War II.
Alina Kabaeva, 38, appeared to headline her eponymous “Alina Festival” at the Russian capital’s VTB Arena, and made it clear that she was hiding in Switzerland or a bunker in Siberia. She joined hundreds of young children on stage at the heavily patriotic event, which featured performances of a military choir and the infamous Russian “Z” symbol (pictured), which has become synonymous with the war in Ukraine
Alina Kabaeva was pictured alongside children’s gymnasts at their patriotic rhythmic gymnastics festival Alina 2022 at VTB Arena in Moscow last weekend
It was a rare public appearance for the former gymnast (below left with microphone), who is believed to be the Russian strongman’s mistress and mother of four of his children, whom he has never officially acknowledged
Alina Kabaeva and Vladimir Putin have been pictured together on numerous occasions over the years, and the Olympic gymnast has long been thought of as the Russian president’s mistress
Wearing a patriotic ribbon of St. George on his chest, Kabaeva delivered a rousing speech that seemingly linked the victory over Nazism in World War II to current events in Ukraine.
“This issue, you see, this story isn’t just about the past. It stays with us,’ she said.
“This celebration is not just for the whole country, this is a holiday for every family.
“Every family has a war story and we must never forget it, but pass it on from generation to generation.”
Children’s gymnasts of various ages wore wartime uniforms and, along with a military choir, performed a choreographed routine reenacting Soviet victory in World War II.
The 69-year-old Putin is expected to use Victory Day – May 9 – to win some sort of victory from his war in Ukraine, despite a Russian death toll estimated at over 20,000.
The performances at the Alina Festival are expected to be broadcast on state television on the eve of Victory Day.
Unlike two of Putin’s adult daughters – Maria and Katerina – Kabaeva has so far avoided Western sanctions.
The former gymnast is also a media mogul, controlling a significant segment of Moscow’s pro-Kremlin media with an estimated annual salary of nearly £8million.
Jailed Putin enemy Alexei Navalny has called for sanctions against them, arguing that Kabaeva’s National Media Group is likely owned and funded by the Russian president and his oligarchs.
Pictures of Kabaeva (centre left) at the Moscow event sparked speculation that the former gymnast had used the same cosmetic surgeons as Putin over claims of botox and fillers
A young Alina Kabaeva shakes hands with Vladimir Putin during a meeting with other gymnasts in the Kremlin
Olympic gold medalist Alina Kabaeva, 38, (right) reappeared at a junior rhythmic gymnastics rehearsal at Moscow’s VTB Arena last week ahead of Saturday’s Alina Festival
Kabaeva (R) has reportedly dodged sanctions at the request of the US National Security Council, fearing she would be seen as a “personal attack” on Putin (L).
Navalny recently wrote from prison: “I would like to remind you that the National Media Group, which owns the lion’s share of this apparatus of lies, is undoubtedly owned by Putin personally and as such is even formally headed by Putin’s mistress Alina Kabaeva.”
He called for her to be treated as a “war criminal” as a Putin propagandist.
It comes as The Wall Street Journal reported that Kabaeva dodged sanctions at the request of the US National Security Council over fears she would be seen as a “personal attack” on Putin.
Kabaeva came under the scrutiny of the US Treasury Department after her lover’s alleged invasion of Ukraine in February, but officials in Washington believed sanctions could escalate tensions between Russia and the West.
Meanwhile, pictures of Kabaeva emerging during rehearsals for Alina Festival last week sparked speculation that the former gymnast had used the same cosmetic surgeon as Putin over claims of botox and fillers.
“There really was a change in Kabaeva’s face…the legendary athlete was significantly prettier,” wrote Russia’s Cosmopolitan.
Avoiding associating her with Putin to avoid being censored by the Russian state, the magazine said: “Alina Kabaeva is one of the most mysterious and secretive women of our country.
“The gymnast almost never performs in public, doesn’t he [appear in] social networks and it is not possible to accidentally see them on the street or in shopping malls.’
Telegram channel Tol’ko Nikomu – who also chose his words carefully to avoid Russian censorship – hinted that she and Putin share the same plastic surgeon.
‘A new rare performance by Alina Kabaeva. This time she is dressed casually – and again seen with a wedding ring.
“And yes, the family beautician’s handwriting is remarkable.”