Vladimir Putin's rumored longtime mistress, Alina Kabaeva, has broken her silence following her suspected split from the Russian leader earlier this year. The 40-year-old former Olympic gymnast spoke out in support of Putin's recent presidential election victory and his ongoing invasion of Ukraine, marking her first public comments since the alleged breakup.
Kabaeva attended Putin's fifth inauguration address this week, where the 71-year-old leader secured another six-year term as Russia's president. Speaking to Russian media, Kabaeva praised Putin's policies and the Russian people's support for their leader amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
"A special military operation is underway, it's not easy, it's complicated, but it's great that the people came to the elections, supported the president, supported his policies, and we, as voters, see that our leader does not rely on foreign countries, but relies on his own people," Kabaeva said. "This is the key to all our successes and victories."
Kabaeva's remarks have drawn attention not only for their timing but also for their enigmatic nature. The former Olympian appeared to draw comparisons between athletes and warriors, suggesting that both must follow orders from their superiors without question.
"An athlete is the same as a warrior," she told reporters. "If management tells you to go, then you have to go. If management says not to go, then don't go. If the coach told me that it was impossible, whether I wanted it or not, then it was impossible."
The cryptic statements have fueled speculation about the nature of Kabaeva's relationship with Putin and her role in supporting his political agenda. The couple, who have been linked for nearly two decades, were rumored to have split earlier this year, with Putin reportedly moving on to a new love interest, 39-year-old art historian and pro-Kremlin activist Ekaterina "Katya" Mizulina.
Mizulina, described as a "Barbie type" by Russian insiders, has been at the forefront of Russia's crackdown on anti-war online content and has backed anti-LGBT legislation in the country. Her public profile and blonde appearance stand in stark contrast to the dark-haired and mysterious Kabaeva, who often went months without making public appearances during her time as Putin's alleged mistress.
Despite the rumors of their split, Kabaeva's presence at Putin's inauguration and her vocal support for his policies have led some to question the true nature of their relationship. The former gymnast's rare public appearance also comes on the heels of her recent sighting at a gymnastics training session in Sochi, Russia, where she was photographed looking "sleepy" with "messy" and "dirty" hair.
While some Russians have expressed admiration for Kabaeva, praising her beauty, intelligence, and ability to "do good things," others have focused on her physical appearance and the apparent toll that her association with Putin may have taken on her.
