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 against the Russian president inside Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral in 2012.

Despite being sentenced to 2 years in jail for his or her activism, the group continued to speak out towards the Kremlin chief, with Ms Alyokhina remaining decided to combat Mr Putin's system.

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

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

In April, Russian authorities placed her below house arrest as they tried to stop those in the country 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 able to cross into Lithuania after in search of the help of an artist from Iceland, who secured her journey paperwork.

Learn extra:
Biden fears Putin has no exit technique from Ukraine
Body language expert provides evaluation of Putin's behaviour

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

"I nonetheless do not understand completely what I've performed."

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

Ms Alyokhina added: "I do not assume Russia has a proper to exist anymore.

"Even before, there were questions on how it is united, by what values it is united, and the place it is going. But now I don't suppose 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 going down in Russia.