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2 Russian Businessmen Renounce Citizenship, Condemn Ukraine Invasion

 2 years ago
source link: https://www.businessinsider.com/2-russian-businessmen-renounce-citizenship-condemn-ukraine-invasion-2022-11
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2 major Russia businessmen renounced their citizenship, condemning Putin's invasion of Ukraine

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Nikolay Storonsky and Oleg Tinko

Revolut CEO Nikolay Storonsky (L) and Tinkov Bank founder Oleg Tinkov (R). Olga Maltseva/AFP/Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch

  • Revolut CEO Nikolay Storonsky and tycoon Oleg Tinkov renounced their Russian citizenship. 
  • Storonsky revealed he he got a British passport and Tinkov declared his renunciation on Monday.
  • Both businessmen have previously been critical of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 
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Two major businessmen renounced their Russian citizenship, condemning the country's invasion of Ukraine and calling for an end to the war.

Nikolay Storonsky, the co-founder and CEO of fintech startup Revolut; and Tinkoff bank founder Oleg Tinkov were previously openly critical of the conflict in Ukraine, which is entering its ninth month.

Storonsky, who is who is a billionaire and was born in Russia, had both British and Russian citizenship.

A spokesperson for London-headquartered Revolut told The Telegraph that Storonsky renounced his citizenship "earlier this year" and that he now holds a British passport.

"His position on the war is on the public record: the war is totally abhorrent and he remains resolute in calling for an immediate end to the fighting," the spokesperson said.

Revolut did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. 

Tinkov announced on Monday that he had renounced his Russian citizenship.

In an Instagram post, he said: "I have decided to throw out Russian citizenship after Russia invades Ukraine."

He first announced the move in since-deleted Instagram post earlier on Monday, where he shared an image of an official document certifying his renunciation dated October 26, The Washington Post reported.

"I have taken the decision to exit my Russian citizenship. I can't and won't be associated with a fascist country that started a war with their peaceful neighbor and killing innocent people daily," Tinkov said in that earlier post.

"I hope more prominent Russian businessmen will follow me, so it weakens Putin's regime and his economy, and put him eventually to defeat," he continued. "I hate Putin's Russia, but love all Russians, who are clearly against this crazy war!" 

In the later post, Tinkov blamed "Kremlin trolls" for that first post having "mysteriously disappeared."

The tycoon said wants to revoke his name from Tinkoff Bank, the commercial bank he founded in 2006, writing: "I hate when my brand/name is associated with the bank that collaborates with killers and blood."

Tinkoff Bank did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

It is unclear what passport Tinkov now carries. 

The Russian tycoon is reported to be living in London, but he is subject to UK sanctions, which include asset freezes and travel bans, the BBC reported.

Tinkov, who used to be one of Russia's richest men, lost his billionaire status earlier this year as a result of Western sanctions and Russian stocks tanking, Forbes reported.

In an Instagram post in April, Tinkov described the war in Ukraine as "crazy," and labeled anyone who supported it a "moron."

Storonsky also criticized the conflict in a company blog post earlier this year, highlighting his Ukrainian family connections.

Some other Russian figures and businessmen have also criticized the war and renounced their citizenship.

But many have stayed silent. 

Tinkov said on Monday that he hoped other businessmen would follow suit, and that them doing so could hurt Putin's efforts.

"I hope more prominent Russian businessmen will follow me, so it weakens Putin's regime and his economy," he wrote.

The Financial Times reported in July that Russia has been monitoring some oligarchs, and that some of them fear they could be punished if they speak out against the war.


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