Alexei Navalny's team claim to leak photo showing Vladimir Putin's 'pole-dancing cave'

Alexei Navalny's team claim to leak photo showing Vladimir Putin's 'pole-dancing cave'
Live stream 1069
Ben Chapman

By Ben Chapman


Published: 21/01/2022

- 18:08

The Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), a non-profit group set up by imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, made the discovery during an investigation.

An investigation into a seaside palace, rumoured to belong to Vladimir Putin, has found that it boasts a casino, a private theatre, and a lounge complete with a pole-dancing stage.

The Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), a non-profit group set up by imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, made the discovery during an investigation.


The palacial estate boasts many references to the Russian Empire coat of arms, as well as what appears to be a private dancing room.

The room appears to boast a stripper pole, that stands in contrast to the royal decorations gracing the establishment.

The report, released by the FBK on Thursday, follows further reports made about the building last year.

The palace was in the process of being remodelled, reportedly due to the spread of mould, caused by design flaws.

Navalny's team released blueprint 3D images of what the building may look like once the reconstruction was complete.

Kremlin propagandist Dmitry Kiselyov has denied Vladimir Putin owns the palace, and has praised the Russian president for a lack of decadence, portraying him as someone who doesn't own much apart from a few suits and shirts.

Russian propagandists have claimed that the palace is actually a hotel and alleged that the Navalny group's suggestions as to what the design may be are inaccurate.

Meanwhile, Downing Street has warned Russia will be “punished” if the country pushes ahead with any “destabilising action” in Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is holding last-ditch talks with Russian diplomats in Switzerland on Friday in a bid to avert a conflict on Ukraine’s border, where Moscow has amassed an estimated 100,000 troops.

Number 10 said if Russian President Vladimir Putin launches an offensive, there will be a “package of sweeping measures” launched by the UK and its allies against the Kremlin.

Earlier, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss warned Mr Putin he must “desist and step back” from war in Ukraine or risk being dragged into a prolonged conflict like the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Speaking at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, she said: “If there is an incursion by Russia into Ukraine, it would come at a massive cost.

“We are prepared to put very severe sanctions in place, we are also working to support Ukraine in terms of defensive capability.”

A spokesman for Boris Johnson said: “I think the Prime Minister has been clear that any destabilising action by Russia in Ukraine would be a strategic mistake and would have significant consequences.

“I’ve talked about the fact that we’re working closely with our partners, including the US, to draw up a package of sweeping measures to make sure that the Russian government is punished if it crosses the line.”

You may like