Alina Kabaeva

Russian President Vladimir Putin's rumored mistress, Alina Kabaeva, was hit by U.K. sanctions on Friday over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"We will keep going with sanctions on all those aiding and abetting Putin's aggression until Ukraine prevails." The British Foreign Office announced a fresh wave of sanctions aimed at Putin's inner circle. Putin has denied being romantically involved with Kabaeva. The former gymnast has also declined to confirm rumors that she is or has been in a relationship with the Russian leader. "Accordingly, Kabaeva is involved in destabilizing Ukraine as she herself or through her association with NMG is responsible for, engages in, provides support for, or promotes any policy or action which destabilizes Ukraine or undermines or threatens the territorial integrity, sovereignty, or independence of Ukraine," the British foreign office said. The U.K.'s sanctions list notes that Kabaeva is the chair of the board of directors of National Media Group (NMG), which it describes as "actively promoting Russian propaganda" regarding the invasion of Ukraine, which Putin launched on February 24. The list targets his family and friends, including his former wife and cousins, and Kabaeva, a 39-year-old former Olympic gymnast who has been romantically linked to the Russian leader.

LONDON — Britain announced a new wave of sanctions Friday, targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin's intimate circle of family and childhood friends, ...

The weapons: Ukraine is making use of weapons such as Javelin antitank missiles and Switchblade “kamikaze” drones, provided by the United States and other allies. The latest: Ukrainian forces said Wednesday that they pushed back Russian advances in the country’s second-most-populous city and regained control of Pytomnyk, a village to the north of Kharkiv. Finland’s leaders said they support a NATO membership bid as soon as possible, an extraordinary move that demonstrates the far-ranging effects of Russia’s invasion. The British sanctions list hit close to home for Putin. It includes Kabaeva’s grandmother, who the British government says owns a luxury apartment in Moscow, and the Russian president’s ex-wife, Lyudmila Ocheretnaya, former first lady of the Russian Federation. Putin is 69 years old. “She is alleged to have a close personal relationship with Putin, and previously sat as a Deputy in the Duma for Putin’s United Russia,” the British Foreign Office said in a statement. Britain is the first country to impose sanctions on the 39-year-old Kabaeva, an Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics and past cover model for the Russian edition of Vogue magazine.

Alina Kabaeva, 39, a retired Olympic gymnast, has been subjected to economic restrictions, as has Lyudmila Ocheretnaya, who was married to Putin until 2014.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: 'We are exposing and targeting the shady network propping up Putin's luxury lifestyle and tightening the vice on his inner circle.' Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: 'We are exposing and targeting the shady network propping up Putin's luxury lifestyle and tightening the vice on his inner circle. Vladimir Putin's younger lover and ex-wife among inner circle added to Ukraine war sanctions list as UK targets 'shady network propping up Russian leader's luxury lifestyle'

Today sanctions hit Putin's financial network, tightening the vice on the President and his inner circle.

It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person. An asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. Kabaeva has risen to become Chair of the Board of the National Media Group, reportedly the largest private Russian media company. Mikhail Shelomov, a Russian business owner and Putin’s first cousin, once removed. Their reward is influence over the affairs of the Russian state that goes far beyond their formal positions. We will keep going with sanctions on all those aiding and abetting Putin’s aggression until Ukraine prevails.

British sanctions targeting Kabaeva also target her grandmother as well as Putin's ex-wife, Lyudmila Ocheretnaya, and several other associates and family ...

Putin may not have a neutral party in the Swiss to shield his alleged mistress, despite the country’s tendency to declare neutrality, though. It is unclear at this time if Kabaeva is indeed in Switzerland, though. But the pressure is growing to expand that list to include his family members and closest allies to make the sanctions sting. “I have a private life in which I do not permit interference. Putin has long been touchy about his private life, seeking to keep it guarded from public view. But his private life may still prove a more volatile influence on the war.

It is part of a new series of sanctions targeting Putin's inner circle as punishment for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin's rumored mistress, Alina Kabaeva, is among the targets of a new round of sanctions announced by U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz ...

Outgoing White House press secretary Jen Psaki teared up during her last briefing on Friday, thanking President Biden for the opportunity to serve in the role. The big picture: The shortage has caused panic among the millions of parents and caregivers in the U.S. who rely on formula to feed their children. - Igor Putin, the director of Pechenga International Sea Port and President Putin's first cousin, is also on the list, among more distant family members. - Kabaeva is chair of the board of Russia's New Media Group, believed to be the largest Russian private media company. The big picture: The new sanctions are intended to hit people close to Putin who help support his lavish lifestyle and regime through their positions of power, per the press release. Russian President Vladimir Putin's rumored mistress, Alina Kabaeva, is among the targets of a new round of sanctions announced by U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Friday, aimed at Putin's inner circle.

Others sanctioned Friday included cousins of Putin and Alexander Plekhov, a 'close friend' who controls the Vital Development Corp.

They included his ex-wife Lyudmila Ocheretnaya and Alina Kabaeva, a former Olympic gymnast who the UK government said was “alleged to have a close personal relationship with Putin". His true wealth is hidden by a network of family, childhood friends and selected members of the Russian elite who have been appointed to powerful roles “in return for their undying loyalty". Britain on Friday sanctioned 12 members of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “inner circle" accused of hiding corrupt riches in return for influential state positions.