New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “rumoured lover” has reappeared with a “new look” in Moscow, media reports said.
This came following rumours that she was hiding in a private chalet in Switzerland or a Siberian nuclear bunker.
Olympic gold-medallist Alina Kabaeva, according to the Daily Mail, resurfaced at a junior rhythmic gymnastics rehearsal in Moscow's VTB Arena this week ahead of the Alina Festival, a charity event scheduled for Saturday, IANS reported.
38-year-old Kabaeva is widely believed to be the Russian strongman’s mistress and mother to four of Putin's children whom he has never officially recognised, the Daily Mail said in its report.
Kabaeva’s pictures at the event in Moscow sparked speculation that the former gymnast had used the same cosmetic surgeon as Putin amid claims of botox and fillers.
“Something has really changed in Kabaeva's face... the legendary athlete was noticeably prettier,” wrote the Russian Cosmopolitan.
The magazine, while avoiding linking Kabaeva to Putin so as not to be censored by the Russian state, said: “Alina Kabaeva is one of the most mysterious and secretive women in our country.”
“The gymnast almost never appears in public, does not (appear in) social networks, and it is not possible to accidentally see her on the street or in shopping centres,” reported The Daily Mail.
Hinting that Kabaeva and Putin share the same plastic surgeon, telegram channel Tol'ko Nikomu also chose its words carefully to avoid the Russian censor.
“A new rare appearance of Alina Kabaeva. This time she is dressed casually - and is again seen with a wedding ring. And yes, the handwriting of the family beautician is quite notable,” the telegram channel said.