Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly living with his girlfriend – who is a gymnast – at a sprawling country estate that includes several palatial mansions and a playground for their children. The gymnast—Alina Kabaeva, the 39-year-old Olympic rhythmic champion—has long been associated with Vladimir Putin. According to a report by Russian investigative news site The Project, the property is located on Lake Valdai, northwest of Moscow.
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Reports claim Vladimir Putin has bought a $120 million (£100 million) property in Cyprus through a slush fund. Construction began in 2020 and will be completed in two years, the report said, adding that the mansion is approximately 13,000 square feet and made entirely of wood in the style of a Russian dacha.
The report also quoted unnamed officials as saying that they had seen children in the compound of the mansion and some of Alina Kabaeva’s female relatives. Some photos released by the site show gold chairs around a glass table and a circular chandelier with golden leaves hanging from the ceiling, while Vladimir Putin’s bedroom is more traditional.
The villa was first reported in 2021 by the team of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who claimed budget funds were used to build the property. However, the Kremlin and Alina Kabaeva have repeatedly denied that she is in a relationship with Vladimir Putin.
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The report quoted unnamed officials who attended Vladimir Putin’s private parties as saying that they had never seen the two together but had no doubt that they were in a relationship.
Alina Kabaeva was appointed by Vladimir Putin in 2014 to head Russia’s National Media Group. The position provides him with an annual income of around £8.6 million.
