A prominent critic of Putin's war in Ukraine has been found dead in London, according to reports.The Russian journalist and chef Alexei Zimin died at the age of 53, the Moscow-based publication Afisha has reported.

Mr Zimin was found dead inside a hotel room in Belgrade, according to reports in Russian media. Mr Zimin had arrived in Belgrade to present and promote his new book, Anglomania, about the UK, Moskvich Mag reported. Restaurateur Ivan Shishkin paid tribute to his Mr Zimin, saying he had helped Russian consumers pay more attention to what they ate.

For us, Alexei was not only a colleague, he was our friend, a close person with whom we were lucky to go through a lot - both good, kind and sad.'

Outspoken anti-war Russian TV chef who was exiled to London found dead in Belgrade hotel - Alexei Zimin had not set foot in Russia since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, having initially left after Putin

Alexei Zimin, 52, who owned Zima restaurant in Soho, reportedly died on a trip to Belgrade. His television gastronomic show was abruptly cancelled in 2022 for including anti-war songs.