Russian army commander and internationally renowned athlete Yelena Isinbayeva arrived in the Canary Islands, entering the Tenerife south airport on 30 May aboard a freight flight from Turkey. The move was sanctioned by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy because of ties with the Russian military regime. Since then, Isinbayeva has been living in a luxury residence in Arona with her husband, Nikita Petinov, and their two children, Eve and Dobrynya. She was awarded the Prince of Asturias prize in 2009 for sport, a recognition noted by observers and authorities at the time. (Source: Digital del Sur)
Digital del Sur reported yesterday that the Olympic athlete was seen walking the streets of southern Tenerife. The National Police, whose identity checks were not previously disclosed, alerted Madrid headquarters about her current location so authorities could monitor her movements. (Source: Digital del Sur)
Yelena Isinbayeva, born in Volgograd in 1982, has enjoyed a prolific career as an Olympic athlete and has also been linked to Russia’s military policy. Reports from official channels over the years note that she held a rank within the Russian armed forces, though confirmation has varied. The International Olympic Committee has not publicly confirmed these military ties in recent disclosures, leading to ongoing questions about her status.
Isinbayeva is celebrated as a pole vault specialist, holding multiple major titles at the Olympic, world, and continental levels. She has broken the women’s pole vault world record on 28 occasions, with outdoor records standing at 5.06 meters, the Olympic mark at 5.05 meters, and the World Championships mark at 5.01 meters. Many observers regard her as one of the greatest pole vaulters in history. (Source: IOC records and athletics archives)
The athlete faced sanctions due to close associations with the Putin administration and related military units.
Early in her career, Isinbayeva demonstrated exceptional promise, clearing 3.50 meters in her first competitive appearance and competing at junior world events in 1998. She won her first gold medal at the 1999 World Youth Games in Bydgoszcz, achieving a jump around 4.10 meters. Her major breakthroughs came in 2002, when she earned silver at the European Championships in Munich and later claimed national titles in both indoor and outdoor settings. A defining moment arrived at the Gateways in the United Kingdom, where she posted a world-class jump of 4.82 meters and became a favorite going into the World Championships that year. She was named World Athlete of the Year in 2004, 2005, and 2008 by the IAAF and received the Laureus Award in 2007 and 2009. (Source: athletics history archives)
Paying the price of occupation
Even after retirement, the war in Ukraine has reverberated through Isinbayeva’s life. On 27 February 2023, Ukraine’s president Zelenskiy announced a list of 164 individuals and 85 entities sanctioned for supporting Russia’s invasion. Isinbayeva was among those named due to alleged ties with the Russian sports establishment. Zelenskiy described her as part of a group representing Russian sports interests trying to use athletics to support aggression. (Source: Ukraine NSDC sanctions list)
The sanctions barred entry into Ukraine and led to the seizure of assets under Ukrainian jurisdiction. A scrutiny process by ethics bodies eventually cleared the individual to continue participation in Olympic governance matters, with the resolution announced in June 2023. (Source: Ukrainian government statements and Olympic committee records)
Isinbayeva’s connections with Vladimir Putin trace back to earlier political involvement, including a 2012 presidential campaign alignment and later participation in discussions around constitutional reforms. Reports over the years connect her with informal teams and political movements in support of the president, highlighting a complex overlap between sport, politics, and public service. (Source: political commentary and media coverage)
Athlete involved in discussions around constitutional reform
Military and national service ties
On several occasions, Isinbayeva has expressed views aligned with patriotic movements in Russia. For example, a 2018 post appealed to youth organizations within the Yunarmiya, a national military-patriotic youth movement. The Yunarmiya, founded by the Russian Ministry of Defense in 2015, aims to foster military history appreciation, youth development, and a sense of national service. The movement’s stated goals include shaping policies related to education, patriotism, and the preparation of future service members. (Source: Russian Ministry of Defense histories and organizational profiles)
Independent analysts have debated the portrayal of Isinbayeva within Russian public life. In a 2023 article, Sergei Shelin criticized the portrayal of Isinbayeva, suggesting that her profile is used to promote certain political narratives within the country. (Source: The Russian Post and subsequent commentaries)