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Who is Kristina Rihanoff? Russian dancer says she doesn't 'give a s**t about war’

Rihanoff further suggested that nations want war because it is a 'convenient' distraction from the Partygate scandal at No 10

Russian ex-Strictly dancer Kristina Rihanoff has come under fire after saying she doesn't "give a s*** about the war" at a time when hundreds of people are reportedly dying because of the battle. Rihanoff, 44, made the comment while talking about how business has been suffering due to the lockdown restrictions.

"I do want to focus on what sort of punishment Boris Johnson will have for destroying my family run business and 1000 of others. Many of my friends LOST businesses because of government lockdowns. Don’t give a s**t about the war but I do about the debt because of NO TRADING for 2yrs," she wrote in a tweet. 

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The dancer also called out a journalist who posted about her mother having to flee the country. “Why don’t you report about everyone who was abused in Ukraine by extreme nationalists for 8 yrs prohibiting families to speak Russian language, terrorising peaceful Russian families which I know many who live in Ukraine," she replied on a post.

Rihanoff further suggested that nations want war because it is a “convenient” distraction from the Partygate scandal at No 10. "Biden can only change his diapers on his own, he can’t do anything else. People who control him know that war is very profitable. Let’s make sure war happens. At all costs," she wrote. "And isn’t it great that UK no longer angry at diabolical Boris Johnson parties. How convenient.”

She also hit out t Foreign Secretary Liz Truss after sanctions against Russia were announced. "Nobody gives a flying monkey about your sanctions. Stand up first for UK & sort out your own s*** & get geography & history lesson next time you go to Russia to talk politics U R #embarrassing," she wrote. The dancer shared a cartoon showing US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and PM Boris Johnson standing standing on a pile of bodies and saying "Russian man bad". "Don’t even have to say anything. Pure genius," her post was captioned. 

The dancer shared a cartoon showing US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and PM Boris Johnson standing on a pile of bodies and saying "Russian man bad". "Don’t even have to say anything. Pure genius," her post was captioned. 

Who is Kristina Rihanoff?

Kristina Rihanoff, born September 22, 1977, is a world-finalist professional ballroom dancer, instructor, choreographer and author. The star, who has a degree in Tourism and Hospitality, finished public school and then studied with St Petersburg Branch of Modern Humanitarian Academy, which has a number of colleges around Russia including Vladivostok. She was born and grew up in Vladivostok, Russia, and is the daughter of two engineers.

Rihanoff was a professional dancer in the sixth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2008. She reached the final twice, once with actor and singer Jason Donovan, and also with Blue singer Simon Webbe. However, she did not win. She has a five-year-old daughter with former England rugby player Ben Cohen, 43, and lives in Northampton. The pair started dating after they were partnered on Strictly in 2013. They run a yoga, fitness and wellbeing business together, as well as a dance academy, which she claimed suffered financially due to the lockdown restrictions.

"This is vile!"

Social media users have been fuming ever since Rihanoff's posts began circulating. "I am not buying any product from this person who doesn't give a sh"t about women or children dying in a war, as long as her pockets are full," one user wrote on Twitter. " dont know what business she's got, but hope people do not support it and send her back home, mibe putting will lend her money," commented another user.

"This is vile! What about all the familys and friends that are losing their lives in Ukraine," one user said, whike another wrote, "Kristina Rihanoff is a disgusting cretin. May we all remember her horrendous tweets and comments when she tries to “rebrand” herself in the future." "Everyone watch #kristinarihanoff issue a grovelling apology for her disgusting views just to make sure she stays relevant and maintains celeb status," one user wrote.

Kristina Rihanoff's clarification

After facing backlash on social media, Rihanoff tried to clarify her thoughts on the war in Ukraine, claiming she is against her homeland's actions. "I made fun of Eurovision tweet by Sky. I did think there was far more important information on that day that Eurovision. This is in any form says I was supporting what’s happening at the moment between Russia & Ukraine," she wrote on Twitter.

"It’s absolutely devastating for someone like me who’s grandad is from Ukraine and I gave Ukrainian name to my daughter – Milena. My best friend is also from Ukraine. I grew up with knowledge that we were one nation and one country. I’m not into politics and hate politicians because they all lie. Seeing the news is breaking my heart as I have Russian friends who live in Ukraine and vice versa," she added.

She continued: “The awful thing is that there is casualties on both sides and on both sides mums and dads will cry for their lost relatives. The point is that this shouldn’t ever taken place, it never should have happened. The country leaders should have found the way a long time ago to sort this peacefully but they didn’t because war is profitable business and someone unfortunately making profit on this. I’m not supporting Putin, war, invasion, lost lives and politics. I hate it as much as a human being possibly can. If I offended anyone it wasn’t my intention and I’m deeply sorry.”