Part of the Valdai National Park in northwestern Russia has been closed to visitors due to the “deterioration of the ecological state” of a lake in the area shortly after an investigation revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his alleged mistress own property there, independent newspaper Meduza reported. The Moscow Times.
Russian authorities announced the expansion of the protected area of the national park due to the “deterioration of the ecological state of Lake Valdai” on March 3, 2023, just three days after the publication of an investigation by the independent publication “The Project”, which went viral.
The expansion of the security area, which makes the area closed to all visitors, includes a part of the lake that houses luxury properties allegedly owned by Putin and former Olympic rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabaeva.
Photo: Putin’s mansion on Valdai. Source: Not provided / WillWest News / Profimedia
39-year-old Kabaeva allegedly had a relationship with the Russian president since the early 2000s and had several children with her.
Photo: Putin’s bedroom in the mansion on Valdai. Source: Not provided / WillWest News / Profimedia
The Kremlin denies any relationship between Putin and Kabaeva, and press articles about their alleged engagement were quickly deleted by Russian censors.
Violation of the protected area is punishable by a fine of up to 4,000 rubles ($52) for individuals or, in the case of “serious damage” to the territory, up to 200,000 rubles ($2,607) or two years of labor. community.
The decision to close the lake area has drawn widespread condemnation from local residents, who also believe that its main purpose is to protect Putin’s villas, rather than the park’s unique ecosystem, according to social media posts cited by Meduza.
“For a long time, the National Park did not bother either local residents or visitors. It is clear that all the changes are due to the mansion,” wrote one of the people on the Internet forum of residents of the city of Valdai.
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Source: Hot News
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