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 towards 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 talk out against the Kremlin leader, with Ms Alyokhina remaining determined to struggle 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 set up a information outlet centered on crime and punishment in Russia, known as Mediazona, with one other member of the band.

In April, Russian authorities positioned 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.

However, the band leader managed to evade the Moscow police by disguising herself as a food courier and leaving her telephone 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 travel documents.

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

Evaluating her story to a "spy novel", Ms Alyokhina instructed The New York Times: "I used to be blissful that I made it, as a result of it was an unpredictable and big kiss-off to the Russian authorities.

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

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

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

"Even earlier than, there have been questions on how it's united, by what values it's united, and where it is going. However now I don't think that may 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.