Pussy Riot band member Maria Alyokhina escapes Russia dressed as food courier after criticising Putin | World Information

Political activist and member of the Russian band Pussy Riot has reportedly fled the country disguised as a food courier after criticising Vladimir Putin.

Maria Alyokhina and her fellow band members first came to the attention of the Russian authorities after staging a protest towards the Russian president inside Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral in 2012.

Regardless of being sentenced to two years in prison for their activism, the group continued to talk out against the Kremlin leader, with Ms Alyokhina remaining determined to combat Mr Putin's system.

Russian air defences struck by Bayraktar drones - dwell updates on Ukraine struggle

After being launched from prison, she continued her activism and arrange a information outlet targeted on crime and punishment in Russia, referred to as Mediazona, with one other member of the band.

In April, Russian authorities placed her underneath home arrest as they tried to cease those in the nation who opposed their invasion of Ukraine.

The 33-year-old was then ordered to spend 21 days in a penal colony.

However, the band chief managed to evade the Moscow police by disguising herself as a food courier and leaving her cellphone behind as a decoy.

She was then capable of cross into Lithuania after searching for the assistance of an artist from Iceland, who secured her travel paperwork.

Read extra:
Biden fears Putin has no exit strategy from Ukraine
Physique language knowledgeable offers assessment of Putin's behaviour

Evaluating her story to a "spy novel", Ms Alyokhina told The New York Times: "I used to be happy that I made it, because it was an unpredictable and massive kiss-off to the Russian authorities.

"I nonetheless do not perceive utterly what I've done."

Subscribe to Ukraine Battle Diaries on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Spreaker

Ms Alyokhina added: "I do not suppose Russia has a right to exist anymore.

"Even before, there were questions about how it is united, by what values it is united, and the place it is going. However now I don't think that is a question anymore."

In 2019, fellow bandmate Nadya Tolokonikova spoke to Sky Information about her time in a jail camp and protests taking place in Russia.