Putin Defence Minister Flies Mistress on Military Jet Amid Kremlin Scandal

A major sex scandal has emerged in the Kremlin involving a top Russian official, suspected to be Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, who allegedly used a $100 million defense ministry Ilyushin-76 military aircraft to transport his 23-year-old mistress, Maria Shalaeva, around Russia, including a restricted military airbase in Rostov-on-Don. Shalaeva posted videos and photos on social media showing her exclusive trips on the military plane, including details of flights to an airport closed to civilians and appointments like a manicure arranged by her lover. She also brought her three-year-old son on these trips, fueling speculation that the child may be Belousov's son. Though Belousov is a known womanizer and his image appears in her posts, some evidence suggests her companion might be younger, leading to uncertainty about the exact identity of the Kremlin man. The scandal has caused outrage within military and security circles over potential security breaches, prompting a reported visit by secret services to the official involved. The revelations have been widely discussed in Russian, British, and independent media, highlighting concerns about misuse of military resources and confidentiality breaches at the highest levels of the Kremlin.