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Where is Alina Kabaeva? Concerns grow for Putin’s lover after she's WIPED OFF her media empire's site

Alina Kabaeva, 38, has suddenly disappeared from the board of the National Media Group (NMG), per its website
UPDATED APR 7, 2022
Russian gymnast Alina Kabaeva (L) has been linked with Vladimir Putin (R) since 2008 (TASS/Presidential Press Service, Carl Court/Getty Images)
Russian gymnast Alina Kabaeva (L) has been linked with Vladimir Putin (R) since 2008 (TASS/Presidential Press Service, Carl Court/Getty Images)

There are growing concerns for Vladimir Putin's alleged lover after her name and picture mysteriously vanished from the website of her media empire's website.

The 38-year-old Alina Kabaeva has suddenly disappeared from the board of the National Media Group (NMG), per its site. This comes after Putin's daughters were sanctioned by Western governments as jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny continued to call for more action against Kremlin's "propaganda media." Navalny specifically mentioned Kabaeva’s TV and newspaper group, arguing that it was likely owned by the Russian president.

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It's worth noting that the network's average annual salary is $7,320, while Kabaeva was said to be making more than $10 million a year. Posting from jail, Navalny wrote, "I want to remind you that the National Media Group, which owns the lion's share of this apparatus of lies, undoubtedly belongs to Putin personally, and as such is even formally headed by Putin's mistress Alina Kabaeva."

Alina Kabaeva carries the Olympic torch into the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014, in Sochi, Russia (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

According to The Sun, NMG did not provide any explanation this week for removing the directors' section on its website — which featured Kabaeva's name and picture — thus leaving a blank page. The former rhythmic gymnast had been serving as chairman of the board since 2014 despite having no prior experience in media or business. "The most decisive measures must be taken to make the work of these Goebbels' heirs more difficult," Navalny said. "From a complete ban on the supply and maintenance of equipment to the search for their assets in the West and visa ‘black lists.'" The Russian dissident noted that the power of the state combined with pro-Kremlin media had been instrumental in bolstering Putin's support for the war. "Propagandists create a public opinion that no longer simply allows Putin to commit war crimes, but requires them from him," Navalny added. "Warmongers should be treated like war criminals."

Some 2500 supporters of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny marched in protest demand for his release from prison in Moscow on January 23, 2021, in Berlin, Germany (Photo by Omer Messinger/Getty Images)

Kabaeva has maintained a low profile since Putin invaded Ukraine, but her media empire had been openly cheering Putin's war. In December, she was caught in a video dancing in Moscow. Now, there are rumors that she and her supposed secret family with the Russian strongman are hiding either in Switzerland or in a nuclear-grade bunker in the Urals, Arctic, or Siberia. In the meantime, a growing petition for her to be thrown out by Swiss authorities has garnered nearly 73,000 signatures at the time of publication. "It’s time you reunite Eva Braun with her Führer," the petition demands.

28 Sep 2000: Alina Kabaeva of Russia in action during the Rhythmic Gymnastics in Pavilion 3 of the Sydney Showground on Day 13 of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia (Gary M Prior/Allsport/Getty Images)

Kabaeva was first romantically linked to Putin in 2008 when she was a pro-Kremlin MP. According to the Sun, the newspaper that first published the story was immediately shut down. In 2013, Putin announced his divorce from his wife Lyudmila, a former Aeroflot stewardess. "I have a private life in which I do not permit interference. It must be respected," he has previously told reporters asking about his love life, adding that he detested "those who with their snotty noses and erotic fantasies prowl into others' lives."

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives for the first day of the G20 economic summit on July 7, 2017, in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

On the other hand, Kabaeva once said she had met a mystery man who "I love very much," notably adding, "Sometimes you feel so happy that you even feel scared." While there have been several reports of the decorated gymnast flaunting a wedding ring, there are no records of a registered marriage. Nonetheless, she is known to have a fleet of Maybach limousines at her disposal and has been spotted surrounded by an elite squad of machine-gun-toting security guards on visits to a Moscow cafe, indicating she enjoys state-level security. Having said that, many Russians believe Kabaeva is the reason for the breakup of Putin's marriage with ex-first lady Lyudmila, 63, who is the mother of his two daughters Mariya Putina and Katerina Tikhonova.

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