Following the announcement that MEL GIBSON is divorcing his wife of 28 years due to "irreconcilable differences", it looks like the split is actually due to Mel's secret Russian girlfriend, OKSANA POCHEPA - the mystery brunette he was pictured with in Costa Rica last month.

And following the intense media speculation surrounding the Gibson's split, the 24-year-old Russian beauty has spoken out about her and Mel's relationship claiming the couple are "in love" and that their relationship "is serious and I hope that our union will be real and strong and long-lasting. We are different people but Mel is a grown man and knows precisely what he wants and me too - I know what I want."

Mel's wife ROBYN filed divorce papers on Monday and is looking for joint custody of their youngest son TOM and spousal support. The couple never signed a pre-nuptial agreement when they married in 1980, and insiders are claiming Mel is hoping to pay off Robyn "quietely" with a lump sum of Dhs1.6billion.