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 meals 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.

Despite being sentenced to two years in jail for their activism, the group continued to talk out in opposition to the Kremlin chief, with Ms Alyokhina remaining determined to struggle Mr Putin's system.

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

After being released from jail, she continued her activism and set up a news outlet centered on crime and punishment in Russia, referred to as Mediazona, with one other member of the band.

In April, Russian authorities positioned her beneath house arrest as they tried to cease these in the country who opposed their invasion of Ukraine.

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

Nevertheless, the band leader managed to evade the Moscow police by disguising herself as a meals courier and leaving her cellphone behind as a decoy.

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

Read extra:
Biden fears Putin has no exit technique from Ukraine
Physique language expert offers evaluation of Putin's behaviour

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

"I still don't perceive utterly what I've finished."

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

Ms Alyokhina added: "I don't suppose Russia has a proper to exist anymore.

"Even earlier than, there were questions about how it is united, by what values it is united, and where it's going. But now I do not think that may be a question anymore."

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