Russian billionaire Oleg Tinkov says he has decided to renounce his citizenship because of the war in Ukraine, which he previously criticized as “crazy”.
“I have made the decision to renounce Russian citizenship. “I cannot and will not associate with a fascist country that started a war with its peaceful neighbor and killing innocent people every day,” Tinkov wrote.
“I hope that more prominent Russian businessmen will follow me, so this weakens Putin’s regime and his economy, and puts him ultimately at a loss,” added the 54-year-old, who has been determined outside Russia in recent years.
“I hate Putin’s Russia, but I love all Russians who are clearly against this crazy war!” Tinkov said.
Tinkov is the founder of Tinkoff Bank, one of Russia’s largest lenders with around 20 million customers.
His digital credit card startup, TCS Group Holding, grew to become one of Russia’s largest financial institutions.
He was forced to sell his 35 percent stake in TCS, the parent of Tinkoff Bank, to Russian metals tycoon Vladimir Potanin in April after a string of anti-war comments.
In April, Tinkov claimed that 90 percent of his countrymen were against Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine in late February and called on Western leaders to help end the “carnage.”
Otherwise, Tinkov has been targeted by British sanctions imposed immediately after the start of the conflict.
He was previously arrested in London in 2020 on charges of tax evasion in the United States. He was later released on parole and treated for leukemia in London.
He stepped down from his role as CEO of Tinkoff in 2020, and the bank has distanced itself from his strong criticism of the war.
