Vladimir Putin ’s favourite Olympic synchronised swimmer has deserted him - quitting Russia with “no plans to return”.
Anastasia Davydova, 39, a five-time gold medalist, is the current secretary-general of the Russian Olympic Committee [ROC].
Her sudden departure from the team is being viewed as a major symbolic blow to the Kremlin leader.
Davydova is yet to issue a statement, but it has been assumed that her decision to leave is linked to Putin’s war in Ukraine.
One pro-Kremlin media outlet went on the attack accusing the “deserter" of “ugly” behaviour.
While the vice-president of the Russian Federation of Synchronised Swimming, Olga Brusnikina, said "everyone is shocked” over her sudden departure.
Just last year, Davydova was decorated with an Order of Merit by Putin, and in 2019, the olympian hosted him at Russia’s synchronised swimming centre, which is named after her.
Davydova’s impressive track record has seen her secure golds in Athens in 2004, in Beijing in 2008 - and in the London 2012 Olympics, where she carried the Russian flag at the closing ceremony.
The 13-time world champion is the same age as fellow gold medal winner Alina Kabaeva, the Olympic gymnast widely seen as Putin’s long term lover, with whom she has been photographed.
Her supposed war protest decision comes as growing domestic unrest sweeps Russia over Putin’s war, his recent mobilisation move and the imminent illegal annexation of swathes of Ukrainian territory.
It flies in the face of ROC president Stanislav Pozdnyakov - a staunch war supporter - who said athletes should be honoured if they are called up to fight.
Davydov’s exit was announced on the Match TV channel, with deputy general producer Vasily Konov saying: “Five-time Olympic champion in synchronised swimming Anastasia Davydova has left Russia.”
“Match TV has a scan of a letter about Davydova's departure from Russia, which notes that she does not plan to return.”
Tatyana Pokrovskaya, head Russian national team synchronised swimming coach, said: “I am completely ignorant and confused.
“For me, this is a surprise. I can’t even say anything about this.”
The swimmer's move was also slammed by loyalist KP Sports, who said: “It could hardly be expected that at the most difficult moment in the history of national sports, one of the most titled athletes in our history, synchronised swimmer Anastasia Davydova, would leave the country.”
It said she had flouted “obligations” for Russian sports.
“Anastasia worked in the Russian Olympic Committee - she held the post of general secretary,” said the critical article.
“She also had a position in the Synchronised Swimming Federation of Russia.
“In addition, she led the synchronised swimming training centre, which is named after her.
“At the 2012 London Olympics, Anastasia carried the Russian flag at the closing ceremony.
“And now she left the country without informing anyone…
“Just behaving like this is ugly.”
But Russia’s most famous figure skating trainer, Tatiana Tarasova, came to her defense, saying: "This is a personal matter for each individual."
It is not immediately clear when Davydova left Russia, nor her current location.
Last week, Russian singer Alla Pugacheva became the country’s biggest showbiz name to condemn Putin’s bloody war with Ukraine.
The star, 73, lambasted the Kremlin leader for sending soldiers to their deaths for “illusory aims” and turning her country into a “pariah state”.
She demanded Russia label her a “foreign agent” for her attack.
