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It’s official, the Moscow newspaper reporting rumours that President Vladimir Putin had secretly divorced and was planning to marry 24-year-old rhythmic gymnast, Alina Kabaeva, has suddenly ceased publication....

It was the story with everything – sex, power, spies and the extraordinary claim that President Putin intended to marry a beautiful Olympic gymnast half his age. So alluring was the idea of romance between Mr Putin and Alina Kabaeva that publications all over Europe rushed to reprint a little-known Moscow newspaper’s report that the former KGB officer had divorced his wife Lyudmila secretly and would marry his lover on June 15. Yesterday, however, Moscow Korrespondent admitted that the story had “no factual basis” after Aleksandr Lebedev, the billionaire owner of the newspaper, challenged staff to back up the claims...

The Russian tabloid "Moskovsky korrespondent" alleges that the outgoing president secretly divorced his wife, Lyudmilla, over two months ago and will wed Kabayeva on June 15, the day Russia celebrates the Holy Trinity this year. "His close entourage knows well that Putin, like all healthy men, is not indifferent to beautiful, sporty women," the tabloid wrote.The rumors have been the talk of Russia since their publication earlier this month. Putin's alleged affair with the attractive young gymnast, who has posed nearly nude for a number of magazines, certainly clashes with the churchgoing, family man image that he has carefully cultivated.The...

A Russian website alleged that Alina - seen here in one of her more provocative poses - was seen kissing Putin in a Moscow restaurant Alina Kabaeva, is one of a number of young and beautiful Russian dancers and athletes who, under Mr Putin's patronage, have lately become deputies in the Duma - Russia's lower parliament. Known as Putinskie Krasotki - 'Putin's Babes' - they were brought in with the cynical but successful aim of 'sexing up' his United Russia party. The bloc took more than 60 per cent of the vote in the December elections. One Russian spin-doctor boasted...

Report: Russia's Putin is divorced and plans to marry ex-gymnast Posted : Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:42:02 GMT Author : DPA Moscow - A Russian tabloid broke taboo by reporting Russia's president Vladimir Putin had divorced his wife Lyudimilla and plans to wed 24-year-old former Olympic gymnast Alina Kabayeva. The Kremlin Tuesday refused to comment on the article which was posted on the daily's Moskovsky Korrespondent website on Friday. The article cited a source close to event planning firm Art-management in Putin's native St. Petersburg, saying the company was competing for the right to host the wedding. Compared to most...