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Russian tycoon Oleg Tinkov on Tuesday denounced Moscow's "massacre" in pro-western Ukraine and urged the West to help end "this insane war".
In some of the strongest criticism of the Kremlin's war in Ukraine from a prominent Russian, Mr Tinkov said online that 90 per cent of Russians were "against this war". He also ridiculed Russia's army.
One of Russia's best-known entrepreneurs, he founded the Tinkoff Bank in 2006. He has been based outside Russia in recent years.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine on February 24 to "de-Nazify" the pro-western country.
The conflict has killed thousands of people and displaced more than 12 million in the largest refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War.
"Waking up with a hangover, the generals realised that they have a [expletive] army," Mr Tinkov, 54, said in a post on Instagram.
"And how will the army be good, if everything else in the country is [expletive] and mired in nepotism, sycophancy and servility?
"I don't see a single beneficiary of this insane war. Innocent people and soldiers are dying."
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Superyacht 'Amore Vero', which French authorities say is linked to the chief executive of Rosneft, a Russian energy company, moored near Marseille, France. Reuters -
The 142-metre sail-assisted motor yacht 'Sailing Yacht A', owned by Russian tycoon Andrey Melnichenko, off Monaco harbour. Reuters -
The 'Lady M', owned by Russian oligarch Alexei Mordashov, docked at Imperia harbour, Italy. European governments are moving against Russian oligarchs to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to back down on his war in Ukraine, seizing superyachts and other luxury properties from billionaires on sanctions lists. AP Photo -
The 135m yacht 'Crescent' moored in Tarragona. The yacht cannot leave the north-eastern port while the police determine if it 'belongs or is under the control of' someone on the EU sanctions list. AFP -
The superyacht Valerie was seized by the Spanish government. Spanish newspaper 'El Pais' reported that the ship is linked to Rostec State Corporation’s chief executive Sergey Chemezov. Bloomberg -
The St Vincent and the Grenadines-flagged yacht 'Lady Anastasia' moored in Puerto Adriano in Calvia, on the island of Mallorca. AFP -
The 'Quantum Blue', on the right, is owned by Russian billionaire Sergei Galitsky. AFP -
The 'Axioma' superyacht belonging to Russian oligarch Dmitrievich Pumpyansky, who is on the EU's list of sanctioned Russians, docked in Gibraltar during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Reuters
Switching to English, Mr Tinkov, who stepped down as chairman of Tinkoff Bank in 2020, said: "Dear 'collective West', please give Mr Putin a clear exit to save his face and stop this massacre.
"Please be more rational and humanitarian."
Mr Tinkov, who has had western sanctions imposed on him, posted his statement on the 55th day of Moscow's military campaign, with Russian forces launching a major offensive in the eastern Donbas region.
"Ninety per cent of Russians are against this war," he said.
"Of course there are morons who draw 'Z' but 10 per cent of any country are morons."
Mr Tinkov was referring to the 'Z' drawn on Russian military vehicles that were involved in the Ukraine fight, which has become a symbol of support for the war.
He said Kremlin officials were "in shock" that they and their children will no longer be able to spend their summer holidays on the Mediterranean.
"Businessmen are trying to rescue what's left of their property," Mr Tinkov said.
Russian authorities have tried to muffle dissent over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, imposing prison terms of up to 15 years for publishing "fake news" about the army.
Tinkoff Bank said it would not comment on Mr Tinkov's "private opinion" as he no longer made decisions on operations of companies under the brand.
"He is not a Tinkoff employee, has not been in Russia for a long time and has been dealing with health issues in recent years," the bank said.
