Split developing in Putin’s entourage as six oligarchs oppose war - Ukraine’s NSDC

In the circles close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, a split has emerged, with six oligarchs publicly speaking out against Russian aggression in Ukraine.

That’s according to the Center for Combating Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

"Western sanctions on Russia's elite, who are known to be the foundation of the Kremlin's power, have shaken Russian oligarchs' faith in their idol. So far, six oligarchs, worth $90 billion, have publicly spoken out against Russia's aggression in Ukraine. Over just one day, the assets of Russian oligarchs shrank by $40 billion," the report says.

Today, statements were made by Novatek owner Leonid Michelson, Rusal founder Oleg Deripaska, Lukoil owner Vagit Alekperov, Alfa Group chairman Mikhail Friedman, and his partner Petro Aven.

"But the most vocal was famous banker Oleg Tinkov: 'This is unfathomable and unacceptable! Nations should spend money on healing people, not war," he said in a statement.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Italian police seized two villas owned by sanctioned Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov and oligarch Alisher Usmanov.