Alina Kabaeva: Where was Putin's elusive lover before popping up again ?

Alina Kabaeva, the alleged long-time lover of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has reappeared after weeks of speculation about her whereabouts, The Sun reported Sunday.

Rumours circulated that she was under "house arrest" at Putin's secret forest palace following reports of the president's supposed heart attack. 

Kabaeva, Russia's so-called "First Mistress," was last seen on October 22 but has now been spotted overseeing training at her gymnastics academy in Sochi.

Speculation arose after Putin's rumoured death, which was later denied by the Kremlin. 

Kabaeva's reappearance coincided with the end of 40 days, considered a mourning period by the Russian Orthodox Church. 

In videos released by her academy on December 7, Kabaeva appeared unsmiling and wore a wedding ring, fueling speculations about a secret marriage to Putin.

There were earlier claims that Kabaeva had been under virtual house arrest at Putin's forest palace, where she reportedly objected to being confined. 

Reports suggested that she broke dishes and threw cutlery, prompting security services to call for urgent medical assistance. Some theories propose that her absence was due to plastic surgery.

The alleged relationship between Putin and Kabaeva has been a subject of speculation for 15 years, with the Russian president never publicly acknowledging it. 

Kabaeva, an Olympic Gold-winning rhythmic gymnast, has become a prominent figure and is often seen as Russia's undeclared first lady.

Putin, set to run in the 2024 presidential elections, remains a private figure, fiercely guarding details about his personal life and family.