Vladimir Putin’s girlfriend, Alina Kabaeva, has made a rare appearance for her annual 'Alina Festival' on Saturday at Moscow’s VTB Arena, putting rumours that she was hiding in a Swiss chalet or a Siberian bunker to rest.
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A rhythmic gymnastics festival
Her presence at the patriotic rhythmic gymnastics festival is the first time she has appeared in public since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Kabaeva appeared onstage alongside hundreds of young children at the event which included a military choir and the infamous Russian 'Z', which symbolises support for Putin's war.
The choir sang some of the Soviet Union's most patriotic songs in celebration of the country's victory over the Nazis, but the festival undoubtedly aimed to increase support for Putin's 'special military operation' in Ukraine.
Linking the war in Ukraine to WWII
Wearing a pink dress and a patriotic St George's ribbon on her chest, Kabaeva made a speech on stage that seemed to connect victory over Nazism in World War II to today's war in Ukraine. She said:
This theme, you see, this story, doesn’t only go into the past. It stays with us.
Her words reflect Putin’s extraordinary claim - condemned by the West - that his war is against 'Nazis' who control Ukraine, just like the Second World War was to defeat the Nazis in Germany.
Kabaeva said:
This celebration is not just for the whole country, this is a holiday for every family. Every family has a war story. And we mustn’t ever forget it, but pass it on, from generation to generation.
Unlike Putin’s daughters, Kabaeva has so far managed to escape sanctions imposed by the West upon those associated with the Russian regime.
The full show will be broadcast on May 8, the eve of a vast Red Square military parade commemorating 'Victory Day', the end of World War II.
Read more:
⋙ Vladimir Putin: The Russian President’s girlfriend has been seen in Moscow after months of ‘hiding’
⋙ Vladimir Putin: His daughters may be hiding the Russian President's wealth
⋙ Vladimir Putin: The President’s girlfriend, Alina Kabaeva, has disappeared online
