Russian TV host Ksenia Sobchak launches election challenge against Vladimir Putin

A Russian television presenter has announced she will run against Vladimir Putin for the presidency.

Ksenia Sobchak, 35, who became famous as the host of the Russian equivalent of reality TV show Big Brother, launched her bid for office on Wednesday in a letter published in the Vedomosti newspaper.

She wrote: "The decision is made. Enough silence, I've thought about it for months...I intend to be the candidate for those who want to vote against everyone.

"You want to speak your mind, but your candidate hasn't been admitted to the elections? You don't have a candidate? Tick Sobchack. You're not picking her to be the president. You're just using a legal and peaceful way to say, 'Enough! I've had it!'"

However, Ms Sobchak has faced criticism after being spotted meeting with Mr Putin on the eve of her announcement, apparently to interview him for a film about her father, Anatoly.

The late Mr Sobchak was a core member of the Russian establishment in the 1990s, touted in his day as a future national leader, and a mentor to a younger Putin. Ms Sobchak has also faced speculation that she Putin's goddaughter.

She became politically active in 2011, attending opposition rallies and even dating Ilya Yashin, a co-founder of the democratic Solidarnost opposition movement.

But Ms Sobchak is seen by many as a pawn of the Kremlin, which is said to regularly vet opposition candidates. Her critics say she has little chance of achieving any actual change, instead just splitting the opposition vote and consolidating Putin's grasp on power.

Asked about Ms Sobchak's announcement at a press conference, he said: "It's the first time I've heard that she wants to run. I'm sure that there will be other candidates."

The Kremlin's tolerance of Sobchak is in stark contrast with its treatment of other opposition leaders. Liberal leader Alexei Navalny remains in jail for his role in organising "unsanctioned" protests.

Mr Navalny has described Sobchak as "the Kremlin's ideal caricature liberal candidate".