"I cannot and will not be associated with a fascist country" - Oleg Tinkov ends Russian citizenship

Oleg Tinkov has in the past been a very prominent figure in pro cycling, and he's recently been in the spotlight again due to his stance against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Tinkov has revealed that he has renounced his Russian citizenship.

“I cannot and will not be associated with a fascist country that went to war with a peaceful neighbor," the Oligarch wrote. "I would be ashamed if I kept this passport. I hope more prominent Russian businessmen will follow me, weakening Putin's regime and his economy, which will ultimately lead to his loss."

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Ever since Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, leading to hundreds of thousands of casualties both military and civilian combined, sanctions from western countries have began crippling the Russian economy. Away from his home country, Tinkov has not been afraid to be a critic of the war that has been started by Russia, and has now renounced his citizenship.

Tinkoff owned the Tinkoff Restaurants team which has merged with the former Katusha squad in the 2000's, and has later been involved in cycling more famously through the Tinkoff Bank sponsorship and team, which has had Peter Sagan and Alberto Contador headline it throughout several years.

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"I hate Putin's Russia, but I love all the Russians who are clearly against this insane war," he concluded.

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