Pussy Riot band member Maria Alyokhina escapes Russia dressed as meals courier after criticising Putin | World News

Political activist and member of the Russian band Pussy Riot has reportedly fled the nation disguised as a meals courier after criticising Vladimir Putin.

Maria Alyokhina and her fellow band members first came to the attention of the Russian authorities after staging a protest towards the Russian president inside Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral in 2012.

Regardless of being sentenced to two years in jail for their activism, the group continued to talk out in opposition to the Kremlin chief, with Ms Alyokhina remaining determined to struggle Mr Putin's system.

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After being launched from prison, she continued her activism and arrange a information outlet focused on crime and punishment in Russia, known as Mediazona, with one other member of the band.

In April, Russian authorities positioned her below house arrest as they tried to stop those within the country who opposed their invasion of Ukraine.

The 33-year-old was then ordered to spend 21 days in a penal colony.

However, the band chief managed to evade the Moscow police by disguising herself as a meals courier and leaving her cellphone behind as a decoy.

She was then able to cross into Lithuania after in search of the help of an artist from Iceland, who secured her travel paperwork.

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Comparing her story to a "spy novel", Ms Alyokhina advised The New York Times: "I was joyful that I made it, because it was an unpredictable and large kiss-off to the Russian authorities.

"I nonetheless don't understand utterly what I've performed."

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Ms Alyokhina added: "I don't think Russia has a right to exist anymore.

"Even earlier than, there were questions on how it's united, by what values it is united, and the place it's going. But now I do not suppose that could be a query anymore."

In 2019, fellow bandmate Nadya Tolokonikova spoke to Sky News about her time in a prison camp and protests taking place in Russia.