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

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

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

Despite being sentenced to 2 years in jail for their activism, the group continued to speak out against the Kremlin leader, with Ms Alyokhina remaining determined to battle Mr Putin's system.

Russian air defences struck by Bayraktar drones - live updates on Ukraine battle

After being launched from prison, she continued her activism and set up a information outlet centered on crime and punishment in Russia, called Mediazona, with another member of the band.

In April, Russian authorities positioned her underneath house arrest as they tried to cease these within the nation who opposed their invasion of Ukraine.

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

Nonetheless, the band leader managed to evade the Moscow police by disguising herself as a food courier and leaving her phone behind as a decoy.

She was then capable of cross into Lithuania after seeking the help of an artist from Iceland, who secured her journey documents.

Read extra:
Biden fears Putin has no exit strategy from Ukraine
Body language expert gives assessment of Putin's behaviour

Comparing her story to a "spy novel", Ms Alyokhina told The New York Times: "I was glad that I made it, as a result of it was an unpredictable and large kiss-off to the Russian authorities.

"I still don't perceive fully what I've executed."

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

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

"Even before, there were questions on how it is united, by what values it's united, and where it's going. But now I do not assume that could be a query anymore."

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