- Blinken condemns China's 'increasingly dangerous' sea moves
- Toyota returns to Formula One as Haas partner
- EU chief says China must 'adapt its behaviour' to solve trade row
- Musk unveils robotaxi, pledges it 'before 2027'
- Lynx rally, stun Liberty in overtime in WNBA Finals opener
- Pogacar hunting 'perfect' season finale with Coppi's Il Lombardia record
- 'Soul of old Baghdad': city centre sees timid revival
- Kittle at the double as Niners hold off Seahawks
- At least 11 dead in Florida but Hurricane Milton not as bad as feared
- Yankees advance in MLB playoffs as Guardians stay alive
- Asian markets mixed after Wall St drop, Shanghai dips before briefing
- Automaker Stellantis says CEO will retire in 2026
- Musk's promised robotaxi unveil delayed
- Kamada says Japan can close in on World Cup place against Australia
- On US coast, wind power foes embrace 'Save the Whales' argument
- Renewables revolt in Sardinia, Italy's coal-fired island
- Argentina held, Brazil leave it late in 2026 World Cup qualifiers
- Obama blasts 'crazy' Trump in first rally for Harris
- 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, a plea in favour of world order?
- Fry homers as Guardians down Tigers to stay alive in MLB playoffs
- Japan PM presses China's Li on airspace intrusion
- In Trump 'Truths,' conspiracies, attacks -- and doubts about the election
- How Sebastian Stan found a 'relatable' Trump for 'The Apprentice' biopic
- Panama's water wheel trash collector keeps plastic at bay
- It's still 'the economy, stupid,' says US political guru Carville
- Five key dates in the history of the America's Cup
- Zelensky to meet Pope, Scholz as whirlwind Europe tour ends
- At least 10 dead in Florida but Hurricane Milton not as bad as feared
- Far from eye, Hurricane Milton's deadly tornados rampaged Florida
- At least 10 dead in Florida after Hurricane Milton spawns tornadoes
- Argentina held, Bolivia stun Colombia in 2026 qualifiers
- Socceroos have 'nothing to fear' from Japan
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial set for May 2025
- Bolivia stun Colombia in World Cup qualifiers
- Internet Archive reels from 'catastrophic' cyberattack, data breach
- Greece earn late win against England in Nations League, Italy-Belgium stalemate
- Trump biopic 'The Apprentice' hits US theaters weeks before election
- Pavlidis dedicates 'special' Greece win over England to tragic Baldock
- Wall Street stocks retreat from records on US inflation data
- 'Like a quake': Beirut shaken after deadliest strikes on centre
- Fallen giants Ghana in AFCON trouble after Sudan draw
- Asian leaders meet in Laos with US, Russia on world turmoil
- England gamble backfires as Pavlidis fires emotional Greece to victory
- Obama stumps for Harris, Trump talks US protectionism
- New-look France ease past Israel in Nations League
- Belgium fight back to draw with 10-man Italy in Nations League
- 'Get a life': Hurricane whips up US election storm
- Japan stay perfect in World Cup qualifying
- Relief as Lebanon evacuees dock in Turkey
- Lebanon says 22 dead in Israeli strikes on central Beirut
Russia tycoon denounces Kremlin's 'massacre' in Ukraine
Russian tycoon Oleg Tinkov on Tuesday denounced Moscow's "massacre" in pro-Western Ukraine and urged the West to help end "this insane war".
Offering some of the strongest criticism of the Kremlin's military action in Ukraine by a prominent Russian, Tinkov claimed online that 90 percent of Russians were "AGAINST this war" and called the country's forces a "shit army."
One of Russia's best-known entrepreneurs, Tinkov founded 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 World War II.
"Waking up with a hangover, the generals realised that they have a shit army," Tinkov, 54, said in a post on Instagram.
"And how will the army be good, if everything else in the country is shit and mired in nepotism, sycophancy and servility?"
The businessman, who has been targeted by Western sanctions, added: "I don't see a SINGLE beneficiary of this insane war! Innocent people and soldiers are dying."
Switching to English, 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."
He posted his statement on the 55th day of Moscow's military campaign, with Russian forces unleashing a major new offensive in the eastern Donbas region.
"90 percent of Russians ARE against this war!" Tinkov said. "Of course there are morons who draw Z but 10 percent of any country are morons," he said, referring to what has become a Russian symbol of support for the war.
He added that 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," he added.
Russian authorities have sought to muffle dissent over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, impose prison terms of up to 15 years for publishing "fake news" about the army.
Tinkoff Bank said in a statement it would not comment on Tinkov's "private opinion", saying he no longer took decisions regarding operations across companies under the Tinkoff 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 statement added.
F.Dubois--AMWN