Ukraine war: Billionaire renounces Russian citizenship
Oleg Tinkov, a Russian billionaire banker, has renounced his Russian citizenship because of the war in Ukraine.
In an Instagram post, he said: “I can’t and won’t be associated with a fascist country that started a war with their peaceful neighbour.”
Few Russian billionaires have publically criticised Russia’s invasion.
Sota Vision tweeted a photo of Mr Tinkov’s certificate showing his Russian citizenship terminated, as well as his comments on Putin. The post criticising the Russian president appears to have been deleted.
The banker said: “It is a shame for me to continue to hold this passport.”
It is thought he lives in London and is subject to UK sanctions – like many Russian oligarchs. President Putin’s political and military power relies heavily on the support of billionaires.
“I hope more prominent Russian businessmen will follow me, so it weakens Putin’s regime and his economy, and put him eventually to defeat,” Mr Tinkov said.
He continued: “I hate Putin’s Russia, but love all Russians who are clearly against this crazy war!”