liz is going where no man dared…….

She was once considered almost untouchable, and her long-rumoured relationship with Vladimir Putin never confirmed.

But after the UK imposed sanctions on former Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva earlier this month, the strict secrecy surrounding the Russian President's private life has begun to unravel.

In the latest round of sanctions from Western nations, the UK has targeted his ex-wife Lyudmila Ocheretnaya, cousins Igor, Mikhail and Roman Putin, as well as Ms Kabaeva.

UK Foreign Minister Liz Truss said those sanctioned had supported the Russian President and his war in Ukraine in exchange for wealth, high-profile jobs and influence over Russian affairs.

"We will keep going with sanctions on all those aiding and abetting Putin's aggression until Ukraine prevails."

While UK authorities were confident enough to include Ms Kabaeva in their hit list, the US has not yet followed suit.

And mystery still surrounds the prominent Russian's personal relationship with the President and the extent of her influence.

From Olympic medals to the top of a media empire

Alina Kabaeva took to the sport of hoops, ribbons and intricate floor routines at the tender age of three, and would go on to become one of the most decorated athletes in rhythmic gymnastic history.

After making her international debut in 1998 at the age of 15, she had claimed three world titles and two Olympic medals by the time she was 21.

In 2007, Ms Kabaeva retired from sport and was elected to the State Duma, as a member of the ruling United Russia party.

Seven years later, she took up a chair position on the board of the National Media Group, one of Russia's largest media conglomerates that owns several pro-Kremlin outlets.

Rumours have circulated since the 2000s that the Russian President and Ms Kabaeva were romantically linked, but both parties repeatedly denied the claim.

In 2008, a Moscow newspaper was swiftly closed after reporting that Mr Putin had divorced his wife and planned to marry Ms Kabaeva.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-28/vladimir-putins-girlfriend-sanctioned-over-ukraine/101082312