When Civilians Die in Ukraine... Putin Flees to Switzerland with 31-Year-Younger Lover and Four Children

Kabaeva, Olympic Rhythmic Gymnastics Gold Medalist... Mother of Four Children

President Vladimir Putin delivered a national address through state television at the Moscow Kremlin on the 21st of last month (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] It has been claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin evacuated his alleged partner, former rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabaeva (38), and their four children to Switzerland following the invasion of Ukraine.

On the 7th (local time), foreign media including Euronews and the New York Post reported that "Alina Kabaeva, known as Putin's partner, and their four children are staying at a villa in Switzerland."

Kabaeva is an Olympic rhythmic gymnastics gold medalist and is said to have given birth to four children with President Putin. After retiring from rhythmic gymnastics in 2007, she served as a member of the State Duma representing the pro-Putin United Russia party.

After President Putin divorced his former wife in 2013, reports emerged in Russia that Kabaeva was his partner, but Putin has remained tight-lipped, stating it is a "private matter that deserves respect."

Alina Kabaeva.
Photo by Moskovskiy Komsomolets, Russia

In 2014, Kabaeva became an executive at Russia's largest media company, the National Media Group, reportedly earning an annual salary of $10 million (approximately 1.23 billion KRW). The National Media Group was founded in 2008 by Yuri Kovalchuk, known as "Putin's money man," leading to speculation that Putin parachuted Kabaeva into the chairman position.

In this context, the U.S. media outlet Page Six criticized President Putin, who initiated the war in Ukraine, for only caring about his family's safety. The outlet stated, "While Putin attacked Ukraine causing civilian casualties and a refugee crisis, the Putin family was hiding in a safe villa in Switzerland," adding, "The decision to hide his family in Switzerland underestimated the country. Switzerland, a representative European neutral country, has taken a tough stance against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, resonating with the international community."

Earlier, Russian political analyst Valery Solovey claimed on the 1st that President Putin had hidden his ex-wife and their daughter in an underground bunker built for nuclear war preparedness. He stated, "Putin evacuated his family to a state-of-the-art underground city built for nuclear war preparedness," adding, "The underground city is located in the Altai Republic."

Meanwhile, on the 7th (local time), the 12th day since the outbreak, Russia and Ukraine held their third round of talks. However, it was reported that no compromise was reached on key issues such as a ceasefire. Nonetheless, both sides agreed to hold a fourth round of talks soon in Belarus.