Just over three months after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, international pressure on Vladimir Putin is growing.
Another blow came this week, when Canada announced it was adding to the list of sanctions the alleged girlfriend of Russian President Alina Kabayeva.
The 39-year-old Kabayeva won the gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the bronze medal at Sydney 2000, and is considered one of the greatest gymnasts in history, with 9 gold medals at the World Championships, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals and endless medals at European Championships and round competitions.
In April 2008, the Russian newspaper Moskovsky Korrespondent reported that Putin had secretly divorced his wife and married Kabayeva.
The Russian president denied the rumors, while the newspaper was shut down and its owner switched to investing in the Novia Gazeta newspaper.
It is possible that in 2009 Kabayba and a child became pregnant with an unknown father that many believe is Putin.
Kabayeva at the 2006 European Championships, Photo: AP
The former Olympic gymnast is one of 22 people close to the Russian regime who have been added to the list of sanctions following the country's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
As you may recall, the UK imposed sanctions on Kabeiba last month, and its name appeared in the draft list of people on whom the EU could impose sanctions.
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