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Economic Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Sex scandal rocks Kremlin: Putin aide flew 23-year-old lover around Russia on lavish military aircraft
Sex scandal has erupted in Moscow after a 23-year-old woman, Maria Shalaeva, flaunted her alleged affair with a powerful "Kremlin man" on social media. She claimed to have been flown on a Russian military plane to a restricted airbase. Speculation points towards Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, fueled by leaked emails and physical similarities. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Weekend Getaway or State-Sponsored Favour? Who Is the Mysterious 'Kremlin Man'? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Speculation Swirls About Child's Paternity No Confirmation, But Just Speculations Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Andrei Belousov's Reputation Under the Spotlight FAQs There has been an alleged top-level sex scandal in Moscow after a 23-year-old woman openly posted that she was flown on a Russian military plane , usually reserved for high-ranking officials, to see a restricted military airbase in southern Russia, as per a report. The posts, which have since been removed, have led to various speculations. Maria Shalaeva , a young woman from Yekaterinburg, surprised social media users when she casually shared photos and stories of flying aboard a Defense Ministry Ilyushin-76 military jet for what she called a "weekend getaway" to Rostov-on-Don, as per The Sun report. Her trip wasn't just luxury, it was exclusive, because the airport she flew to is reportedly shut off to all but military aircraft, according to the READ: Stellar comeback: After a lost decade and near bankruptcy in the 2010s, Greece set to become debt-free by 2029 The trip wasn't diplomatic or commercial, it was for personal use, as Shalaeva suggested that her lover was a "Kremlin man," powerful enough to orchestrate a private military flight and treat her to appointments like a city manicure, as per The 23-year-old had posted asking, 'Who's saying planes don't fly to Rostov?" and then pointed out that, 'They do - just not all of them, and not for everyone. Anyway, I flew back to Rostov again. Can't seem to let it go,' as quoted by The even revealed that her lover is 'a Kremlin man, though, that's another story. Reliability level is 200%,' as quoted in the report. According to an independent media outlet, Russian president Vladimir Putin's trusted defence minister, Andrei Belousov , is suspected to be her lover, reported The speculation arose as Belousov is known to be a known womaniser from earlier email leaks, and his photograph appears in a video she posted, and in one video her lover has grey hair, and so does Belousov, who was a Kremlin apparatchik before becoming defence minister, as reported by The Sun's military sources pointed out that the Kremlin's 'sugar daddy' had been visited at work by the secret services after the mistress's revelations, as per the READ: Jeff Bezos shocks the internet with surprise hair comeback after a decade of baldness While, Shalaeva even shared that she brought her three-year-old son, Tim, on the trip, which led to speculation that the kid is her lover's offspring, reported The Sun. She had posted, 'At three years old, he's already flown in a military aircraft,' as per the said, 'Tim got to sit right in the cockpit and even grabbed some crisps from the pilot," adding, 'We were greeted warmly. Timmy was chilling, watching cartoons the whole ride,' as quoted by The Sun mistress even gave a hint, saying that her lover was 'not military!! Not FSB either! Now, I know who he is, but I'm not allowed to say,' as quoted in the to the report, Belousov is an economist and civilian technocrat but is not a career soldier and holds no formal military rank, yet his authority rivals that of Russia's top Nexta independent media claimed in its report that, 'In private posts, Shalaeva hints that it's Belousov himself, the new defence minister of the Russian Federation [who is her lover],' adding, 'The Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation flies his mistress on a military plane,' as quoted in The Sun a 23-year-old woman from Yekaterinburg who posted about being flown on a Russian military jet, sparking the current scandal, as per The Sun a high-ranking civilian official with the power to arrange such flights, matches the physical description, and reportedly appears in one of her videos.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Sex scandal rocks Kremlin: Putin aide flew 23-year-old lover around Russia on lavish military aircraft
There has been an alleged top-level sex scandal in Moscow after a 23-year-old woman openly posted that she was flown on a Russian military plane , usually reserved for high-ranking officials, to see a restricted military airbase in southern Russia, as per a report. The posts, which have since been removed, have led to various speculations. Weekend Getaway or State-Sponsored Favour? Maria Shalaeva , a young woman from Yekaterinburg, surprised social media users when she casually shared photos and stories of flying aboard a Defense Ministry Ilyushin-76 military jet for what she called a "weekend getaway" to Rostov-on-Don, as per The Sun report. Her trip wasn't just luxury, it was exclusive, because the airport she flew to is reportedly shut off to all but military aircraft, according to the report. ALSO READ: Stellar comeback: After a lost decade and near bankruptcy in the 2010s, Greece set to become debt-free by 2029 Who Is the Mysterious 'Kremlin Man'? The trip wasn't diplomatic or commercial, it was for personal use, as Shalaeva suggested that her lover was a "Kremlin man," powerful enough to orchestrate a private military flight and treat her to appointments like a city manicure, as per The Sun. The 23-year-old had posted asking, 'Who's saying planes don't fly to Rostov?" and then pointed out that, 'They do - just not all of them, and not for everyone. Anyway, I flew back to Rostov again. Can't seem to let it go,' as quoted by The Sun. Live Events She even revealed that her lover is 'a Kremlin man, though, that's another story. Reliability level is 200%,' as quoted in the report. According to an independent media outlet, Russian president Vladimir Putin's trusted defence minister, Andrei Belousov , is suspected to be her lover, reported The Sun. The speculation arose as Belousov is known to be a known womaniser from earlier email leaks, and his photograph appears in a video she posted, and in one video her lover has grey hair, and so does Belousov, who was a Kremlin apparatchik before becoming defence minister, as reported by The Sun. The Sun's military sources pointed out that the Kremlin's 'sugar daddy' had been visited at work by the secret services after the mistress's revelations, as per the report. ALSO READ: Jeff Bezos shocks the internet with surprise hair comeback after a decade of baldness Speculation Swirls About Child's Paternity While, Shalaeva even shared that she brought her three-year-old son, Tim, on the trip, which led to speculation that the kid is her lover's offspring, reported The Sun. She had posted, 'At three years old, he's already flown in a military aircraft,' as per the report. She said, 'Tim got to sit right in the cockpit and even grabbed some crisps from the pilot," adding, 'We were greeted warmly. Timmy was chilling, watching cartoons the whole ride,' as quoted by The Sun report. No Confirmation, But Just Speculations The mistress even gave a hint, saying that her lover was 'not military!! Not FSB either! Now, I know who he is, but I'm not allowed to say,' as quoted in the report. According to the report, Belousov is an economist and civilian technocrat but is not a career soldier and holds no formal military rank, yet his authority rivals that of Russia's top generals. Andrei Belousov's Reputation Under the Spotlight While Nexta independent media claimed in its report that, 'In private posts, Shalaeva hints that it's Belousov himself, the new defence minister of the Russian Federation [who is her lover],' adding, 'The Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation flies his mistress on a military plane,' as quoted in The Sun report. FAQs Who is Maria Shalaeva? She's a 23-year-old woman from Yekaterinburg who posted about being flown on a Russian military jet, sparking the current scandal, as per The Sun report. Why is Andrei Belousov suspected? He's a high-ranking civilian official with the power to arrange such flights, matches the physical description, and reportedly appears in one of her videos.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Putin official caught flying racy mistress, 23, around Russia on prized $100m military jets as sex scandal rocks Kremlin
A SEX scandal has rocked the Kremlin as a top Putin official has been revealed using $100million military planes to transport his mistress around Russia. Maria Shalaeva, 23, shared online she was being flown on a defence ministry Ilyushin-76 aircraft for a weekend getaway to Rostov-on-Don - the same location of Russian armed forces war headquarters. 10 Maria Shalaeva boasted about taking an armed forces plane to the closed airport in Rostov-on-Don for a weekend getaway Credit: East2West 10 The racy mistress often posts teasing snaps on her social media Credit: East2West 10 Shalaeva says her lover is a 'Kremlin man' Credit: East2West 10 The mistress flew to an airport which only allows military planes to land Credit: East2West One independent media outlet has dragged in the name of He is said to be a known womaniser from earlier email leaks, and his photograph appears on a video she posted. It is also clear from one video her lover has grey hair , as does Belousov, who was a Kremlin apparatchik before becoming defence minister. Yet there are strong indications that her man - apparently seen in shorts from behind on the plane - could be younger. Read more on Russia Whether the affair is Belousov or another senior official figure in the Russian power structure, the disclosure triggered fury over what is seen as a security breach. As the scandal unfolded today, military sources indicated that the Kremlin 'sugar daddy' had been visited at work by the secret services after the mistress's revelations. Shalaeva, from Yekaterinburg, boasted in now-deleted posts - that she was flying to Rostov-on-Don, a city she had visited before with her lover. The airport, however, is being Most read in The US Sun The 23-year-old went on to reveal her beloved booked her a manicure appointment in the city. She posted: 'Who's saying planes don't fly to Rostov? From 'moving' corpse & corruption scandal to quick 'suicide' story: 5 glaring questions in gun death of Putin minister 'They do - just not all of them, and not for everyone. Anyway, I flew back to Rostov again. Can't seem to let it go.' She said her lover is 'a Kremlin man, though, that's another story. Reliability level is 200%.' She admits to bringing her three-year-old son Tim on the trip, leading to speculation he is her lover's offspring. 'At three years old, he's already flown in a military aircraft,' she posted. 10 A picture of Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, 66, appears in Shalaeva's posts as her lover is said to have grey hair Credit: East2West 10 Belousov holds no formal military rank but his authority rivals that of Russia's top generals Credit: AFP 'Tim got to sit right in the cockpit and even grabbed some crisps from the pilot. 'We were greeted warmly. Timmy was chilling, watching cartoons the whole ride.' Shalaeva says her lover calls her "yebobo [crazy]" and sometimes asks if she's ever had a concussion. She insisted he was 'not military!! Not FSB either! Now, I know who he is, but I'm not allowed to say.' Belousov, an economist and civilian technocrat, is not a career soldier and holds no formal military rank - but his authority In Rostov, Shalaeva, her son, and her mystery man were reportedly picked up by a 'very expensive foreign car,' rumoured to be a Maybach. Nexta independent media - a respected outlet originally from Belarus and now Warsaw-based - linked her to Belousov, but without giving any verification. 'In private posts, Shalaeva hints that it's Belousov himself, the new defence minister of the Russian Federation [who is her lover],' stated Nexta. 'The Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation flies his mistress on a military plane.' It was local media in Rostov that first flagged the scandal, without naming names. Russian outlets have so far avoided identifying the man. Retire Major General Vladimir Popov didn't mince words: 'Everyone will be found and punished.' He made it clear Belousov bears ultimate responsibility for the military flight. 'If this reaches the defence minister, I expect he'll come down hard for such poor oversight. And from there, the punishment will trickle down.' 10 The 23-year-old took her son along with her on the trip Credit: East2West 10 The boy was seen checking out the cockpit Credit: East2West 10 The mystery man was also aboard the plane Credit: East2West Pro-Kremlin military blogger Andrey Medvedev added: 'It seems the Military Counterintelligence Department has plenty to do.' 'I can imagine how much information the SBU [Ukrainian security service] and Western intelligence agencies get just from monitoring social networks,' he wrote. 'In a photo posted by this reckless girl, you can find all sorts of interesting details to understand which planes fly to Rostov, who arranged those rides for her. And so on.' It comes as the Kremlin was accused of covering up the death of a sacked Russian minister after Roman Starovoit, Telegram channels with links to the Russian security forces reported Starovoit's cause of death as suicide - claiming the minister was found dead with gunshot wounds. However, an independent Russian media outlet now reports that he had been beaten before his death. News outlet Starovoit's glam girlfriend 10 Her beloved booked her a manicure appointment in Rostov-on-Don Credit: East2West
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Putin official caught flying racy mistress, 23, around Russia on prized $100m military jets as sex scandal rocks Kremlin
Said to be a notorious womaniser, the mystery man booked the jet to fly his lady out to a nail appointment REGIME OF VICE Putin official caught flying racy mistress, 23, around Russia on prized $100m military jets as sex scandal rocks Kremlin Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SEX scandal has rocked the Kremlin as a top Putin official has been revealed using $100million military planes to transport his mistress around Russia. Maria Shalaeva, 23, shared online she was being flown on a defence ministry Ilyushin-76 aircraft for a weekend getaway to Rostov-on-Don - the same location of Russian armed forces war headquarters. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 Maria Shalaeva boasted about taking an armed forces plane to the closed airport in Rostov-on-Don for a weekend getaway Credit: East2West 10 The mistress flew to an airport which only allows military planes to land Credit: East2West 10 The racy mistress often posts teasing snaps on her social media Credit: East2West 10 Shalaeva says her lover is a 'Kremlin man' Credit: East2West One independent media outlet has dragged in the name of Putin's trusted defence minister Andrei Belousov, 66, as the suspected lover. He is said to be a known womaniser from earlier email leaks, and his photograph appears on a video she posted. It is also clear from one video her lover has grey hair, as does Belousov, who was a Kremlin apparatchik before becoming defence minister. Yet there are strong indications that her man - apparently seen in shorts from behind on the plane - could be younger. Whether the affair is Belousov or another senior official figure in the Russian power structure, the disclosure triggered fury over what is seen as a security breach. As the scandal unfolded today, military sources indicated that the Kremlin 'sugar daddy' had been visited at work by the secret services after the mistress's revelations. Shalaeva, from Yekaterinburg, boasted in now-deleted posts - that she was flying to Rostov-on-Don, a city she had visited before with her lover. The airport, however, is being closed to all but military planes. The 23-year-old went on to reveal her beloved booked her a manicure appointment in the city. From 'moving' corpse & corruption scandal to quick 'suicide' story: 5 glaring questions in gun death of Putin minister 10 A picture of Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, 66, appears in Shalaeva's posts as her lover is said to have grey hair Credit: East2West 10 Belousov holds no formal military rank but his authority rivals that of Russia's top generals Credit: AFP She posted: 'Who's saying planes don't fly to Rostov? 'They do - just not all of them, and not for everyone. Anyway, I flew back to Rostov again. Can't seem to let it go.' She said her lover is 'a Kremlin man, though, that's another story. Reliability level is 200%.' She admits to bringing her three-year-old son Tim on the trip, leading to speculation he is her lover's offspring. 'At three years old, he's already flown in a military aircraft,' she posted. 'Tim got to sit right in the cockpit and even grabbed some crisps from the pilot. 'We were greeted warmly. Timmy was chilling, watching cartoons the whole ride.' Shalaeva says her lover calls her "yebobo [crazy]" and sometimes asks if she's ever had a concussion. She insisted he was 'not military!! Not FSB either! Now, I know who he is, but I'm not allowed to say.' Belousov, an economist and civilian technocrat, is not a career soldier and holds no formal military rank - but his authority rivals that of Russia's top generals. In Rostov, Shalaeva, her son, and her mystery man were reportedly picked up by a 'very expensive foreign car,' rumoured to be a Maybach. Nexta independent media - a respected outlet originally from Belarus and now Warsaw-based - linked her to Belousov, but without giving any verification. 'In private posts, Shalaeva hints that it's Belousov himself, the new defence minister of the Russian Federation [who is her lover],' stated Nexta. 'The Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation flies his mistress on a military plane.' It was local media in Rostov that first flagged the scandal, without naming names. Russian outlets have so far avoided identifying the man. Retire Major General Vladimir Popov didn't mince words: 'Everyone will be found and punished.' He made it clear Belousov bears ultimate responsibility for the military flight. 'If this reaches the defence minister, I expect he'll come down hard for such poor oversight. And from there, the punishment will trickle down.' 10 The 23-year-old took her son along with her on the trip Credit: East2West 10 The boy was seen checking out the cockpit Credit: East2West 10 The mystery man was also aboard the plane Credit: East2West Pro-Kremlin military blogger Andrey Medvedev added: 'It seems the Military Counterintelligence Department has plenty to do.' 'I can imagine how much information the SBU [Ukrainian security service] and Western intelligence agencies get just from monitoring social networks,' he wrote. 'In a photo posted by this reckless girl, you can find all sorts of interesting details to understand which planes fly to Rostov, who arranged those rides for her. And so on.' It comes as the Kremlin was accused of covering up the death of a sacked Russian minister after signs of torture were allegedly found on his body just 24 hours before his apparent suicide. Roman Starovoit, who was Vladimir Putin's transport minister for less than a year, was dismissed from his post on July 7 - just hours before he was found dead. Telegram channels with links to the Russian security forces reported Starovoit's cause of death as suicide - claiming the minister was found dead with gunshot wounds. However, an independent Russian media outlet now reports that he had been beaten before his death. News outlet SOTA claims that signs of torture were visible on his body. Starovoit's glam girlfriend could also be banned from his funeral.
News18
06-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Why India's Airbase In Tajikistan Should Worry Pakistan
Last Updated: While the government has refrained from officially labelling the airbase in Tajikistan as an operational base, its potential is unmistakable. As tensions rise following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, India is signaling a tougher stance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi granting the Army full 'operational freedom" to decide how, when, and where it retaliates. But beyond immediate military reprisal, a lesser-known factor is casting a long shadow over South Asia's strategic equation: a remote airbase in the mountains of Tajikistan, quietly upgraded by India, and increasingly viewed as a geopolitical pressure point, especially for Pakistan. The Ayni Airbase Tucked just 15 kilometres west of Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, the Ayni Airbase – once a crumbling relic of the Soviet era – has emerged as one of India's most strategically significant outposts. Dormant after Tajikistan's civil war in the 1990s, the base was revitalised thanks to a $70 million investment by India beginning in 2002, at the height of the US-led war on terror in nearby Afghanistan. By 2010, India had extended the runway to 3,200 metres, constructed hardened shelters, fuel depots, air traffic control infrastructure, and made the base capable of supporting heavy-lift aircraft like the Ilyushin-76 and multirole fighters such as the Sukhoi Su-30MKI. Although the Tajik government maintains that no foreign military operates from its soil, satellite imagery, regional reports, and military analysts suggest that Indian Air Force personnel – engineers, technicians, and security staff – have maintained a presence at Ayni for years. While the Centre has refrained from officially labelling Ayni as an operational base, its potential is unmistakable. Located within striking distance of Pakistan's western borders, including the troubled provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the base offers India a launchpad to project power deep into the region. In the event of a wider conflict, India could apply military pressure not just from the eastern front through Kashmir, but from the northwest – forcing Pakistan to recalibrate its entire defence posture. Experts argue that the mere presence of Indian capability in Central Asia compels Islamabad to stretch its limited air defence and surveillance assets, possibly weakening its eastern preparedness. There are growing concerns in Pakistan's defence circles that the Ayni base could serve as a launch point for reconnaissance missions, drone strikes, or even limited surgical air operations – especially in the restive, insurgency-hit western provinces. But the reach of Ayni extends beyond Pakistan. Tajikistan shares a border with China's sensitive Xinjiang province. Following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash with Chinese troops, India's interest in monitoring Chinese military activity near its western theater has grown. The Ayni base provides a rare and advantageous northern vantage point – one that could prove crucial in an extended confrontation. Additionally, with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) snaking through Balochistan and linking to the Gwadar port, India's strategic presence near the region introduces a layer of complication for the heavily guarded economic lifeline of both Beijing and Islamabad. The Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan has given rise to renewed concerns over the resurgence of terror outfits like the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) and Al-Qaeda. Ayni is also well-positioned to support surveillance and humanitarian evacuation operations in Afghanistan, as it reportedly did when India airlifted citizens and diplomatic staff following the Taliban's takeover in 2021. Alongside Ayni, India has also reportedly used the Farkhor Airbase, located near the Afghan border, and further deployed Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters in these bases. India's involvement in Ayni also cements its growing influence in Central Asia, a region traditionally dominated by Russia and, more recently, China through its Belt and Road Initiative. By anchoring itself in Tajikistan, India not only reinforces its counterterrorism capabilities but also ensures it has a stake in Central Asian politics, counterbalancing Chinese and Russian leverage. From Pakistan's perspective, Ayni represents a silent encirclement strategy. Already under pressure in Kashmir, the potential for a second axis of military pressure from the north could tilt the strategic balance significantly. Intelligence operations from this base could monitor movements near Pakistan's nuclear installations, many of which are located in its western provinces. Moreover, as Baloch separatist activity grows and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) intensifies attacks, the threat of Indian eyes and ears operating from across the Tajik frontier is a serious concern for Islamabad. First Published:
