Putin’s Alleged Lover Seen In Public For First Time Since Ukraine Invasion

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rumored lover Alina Kabaeva was spotted in Moscow for the first time since the start of the invasion of Ukraine.

Kabaeva, a 38-year-old former Olympic champion rhythmic gymnast, was pictured at an event at Moscow’s VTB Arena on April 21, according to photos posted on Instagram by Ekaterina Sirotina, the head coach of Russia’s national rhythmic gymnastics team.

"First rehearsal day of the #Festival of Alina Kabaeva," Sirotina wrote in the caption.

Kabaeva was last seen in December when she appeared at the same arena during the opening ceremony of the “Heavenly Grace” rhythmic gymnastics tournament. She was later rumored to be hunkered down in a chalet in Switzerland when Putin announced the invasion of Ukraine. Her friends allegedly begged her to fly back to Moscow and persuade Putin to end the war.

“Alina’s female friends are begging her to fly to Putin and persuade him to end the war. He doesn’t seem to be listening to anybody, but perhaps he might listen to her,” a source with knowledge of the discussions told Page Six.

“Putin is surrounded by rings and rings of security. Alina says she doesn’t know if she can get to him — and even if she does, she doesn’t know if she’ll be able to get out again to be with their kids.”

While Kabaeva is said to have four children — two young boys and twin girls — with Putin, she has never confirmed rumors that she is romantically involved with the Russian president. Putin has also never publicly confirmed his rumored relationship with the gymnast.

Kabaeva was first linked to Putin in 2008 by the Russian newspaper Moskovsky Korrespondent. The paper was shut down days after it reported that Putin planned to divorce Lyudmila Putina, his wife at the time, for the gymnast.

Kabaeva, dubbed as “Russia’s most flexible woman,” won two Olympic medals, 14 World Championship medals and 21 European Championship medals throughout her gymnast career before retiring in 2005.

Following her retirement, Kabaeva attempted to become a singer but later abandoned the effort. She also modeled on several occasions, even appearing on the cover of Vogue Russia once while wearing a $33,000 gold gown.

Kabeave became a member of Russia’s parliament for several years, beginning in 2014 when she was appointed to the state-owned National Media Group board.