Russia's Largest Internet Bank Owner, "Renouncing Russian Citizenship... Dislike Fascist State"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Oleg Tinkov, the founder of Russia's largest online bank, Tinkoff Bank, announced that he is renouncing his Russian citizenship. This brings the number of so-called 'oligarchs,' the emerging tycoons who have given up their citizenship, to four.

According to AFP on the 31st (local time), Oleg Tinkov posted on his Instagram that day, "I have decided to give up my Russian citizenship," and shared a photo of the citizenship renunciation certificate. He said, "I do not want to be associated with a fascist state that wages war against peaceful neighbors and kills innocent people every day, and I never will. Therefore, I have decided to renounce my Russian citizenship."

Tinkov expressed, "I hope more prominent Russian businessmen will follow me. This will weaken the Putin regime and the Russian economy, ultimately leading to his defeat." He emphasized, "I hate Putin's Russia, but I love all Russians who clearly oppose this insane war."

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Tinkov has voiced opposition to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Earlier, in April, he strongly criticized the invasion as a "mad war."

With this, four oligarchs, known as Russia's emerging tycoons, have consecutively renounced their Russian citizenship. As Russian tycoons have been included in the sanctions list against Russia, facing asset freezes abroad and business cancellations, economic disadvantages are increasing, leading to a growing trend of leaving Russia.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.