A Russian tycoon has condemned Russia’s “massacre” in Ukraine and demanded an end to the “crazy conflict.”
In a profanity-laced Instagram post, Oleg Tinkov stated that he does not see “any benefit” of the battle.
Mr Tinkov is a well-known Russian entrepreneur who built the worldwide online bank Tinkoff Bank and owns the Tinkoff-Saxo cycling team.
He’s also one of the most prominent Russians to speak out against President Vladimir Putin’s activities.
Mikhail Fridman and Oleg Deripaska, two of the country’s most powerful billionaires, have issued separate pleas for peace but avoided outright condemnation.
Mr. Fridman, a millionaire banker, has stated that any personal remarks may endanger not just himself but also his employees and coworkers.
Boris Mints, a businessman who worked for the Russian government in the 1990s but was relieved of his political responsibilities four days after Mr Putin assumed office, has joined Mr Tinkov in criticizing the president directly.
The Kremlin is currently pursuing Mr Mints, who lives in the United Kingdom. “Every right-thinking person has an obligation to speak out against this heinous war and Vladimir Putin’s increasing dictatorship,” he told the media.
“All of us must do everything we can to help Ukrainians who are victims of this heinous assault, whether they are in Ukraine or as refugees outside its borders,” he continued.
Mr Tinkov has already said that he has no close ties to President Putin or the Kremlin.
Mr Tinkov wrote on Instagram that 90 percent of Russians oppose the conflict in Ukraine, and that “morons in any country are 10%.”
“I can’t think of a single person who has benefited from this madness! Innocent civilians and troops are perishing “Mr. Tinkov said.
“The generals realized they had a lousy army when they awoke with a hangover.
“How can the army be good if the rest of the country is filthy and riddled with cronyism, sycophancy, and servitude?”
Mr Tinkov’s fortune was believed to be worth more than $4.4 billion (£3.4 billion) before Russia invaded Ukraine in late February.
However, as Forbes revealed last month, he has subsequently lost his billionaire title since shares in his bank have fallen.
“Dear ‘collective West,’ please offer Mr Putin a clean departure to save his face and end this carnage,” Mr Tinkov wrote in English. Please be more logical and kind.”
