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

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 eye of the Russian authorities after staging a protest against the Russian president inside Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral in 2012.

Despite being sentenced to two years in jail for their activism, the group continued to speak out towards the Kremlin chief, with Ms Alyokhina remaining determined to battle Mr Putin's system.

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After being released from prison, she continued her activism and arrange a information outlet centered on crime and punishment in Russia, referred to as Mediazona, with another member of the band.

In April, Russian authorities positioned her under home arrest as they tried to cease 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 phone behind as a decoy.

She was then in a position to cross into Lithuania after seeking 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 informed The New York Times: "I was happy that I made it, because it was an unpredictable and big kiss-off to the Russian authorities.

"I nonetheless do not perceive fully what I've done."

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

"Even before, there were questions on how it is united, by what values it is united, and where it is going. But now I don't suppose that may be a query anymore."

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