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The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reported that as many as 15,000 Russian millionaires have attempted to leave the country to escape crippling Western sanctions and to show “personal opposition” to the war in Ukraine. Cracks are beginning to form in Russian society as ordinary Russians “actively and passively demonstrate their opposition” to the war effort.
In a daily Twitter update the MoD noted the figure would likely exacerbate damage to the Russian economy.
It said: “Scepticism about the war is likely also particularly strong amongst Russia’s business elite and oligarch community. Migration applications suggest that 15,000 Russian millionaires (in US dollars) are likely already attempting to leave the country.
“Motivations highly likely include both personal opposition to the invasion and an intent to escape the financial impact of the sanctions imposed on Russia. Should this exodus continue, it will likely exacerbate the war’s long-term damage to Russia’s economy.”
Russian ultra-rich oligarchs have been traditionally aligned with Putin and have helped him turn Russia into a personal fiefdom for the Russian President.
Several high-profile billionaires in Russia have renounced their citizenship since the war began in an apparent effort to circumvent Western sanctions.
Just a week ago, Russian billionaire Timur Tulov renounced his Russian citizenship in exchange for a Kazakh passport. Although he had been living in Kazakhstan for ten years, he also recently sold his company’s Russian holdings reportedly due to Western sanctions.
The news could be devastating for Russia.
In a report by the London-based residency and citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners, Head of Research at New World Health Andrew Amoils wrote that Russia was “haemorrhaging millionaires”.
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He wrote: “Historically, major country collapses have usually been preceded by an acceleration in emigration of wealthy people, who are often the first to leave as they have the means to do so.”
It is not just the ultra-wealthy who are fed-up with Putin’s war. The Ministry of Defence has reported that everyday Russian’s are likely becoming more alienated about the war.
The MoD said: “Speaking out against the invasion is also being criminalised.
Despite the majority of Russians telling pollsters they support the
“special military operation”, elements of the population both actively and passively demonstrate their opposition.”
In response the MoD said Russia was sliding further towards authoritarianism – the Duma, or Russia’s version of Parliament, has begun the process to introduce a law that would see 20-year prison sentences for Russians who fight against Russia in Ukraine.
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It said: “In Russia, the war has accelerated the state’s long-term trajectory towards authoritarianism. In recent weeks, the Duma has started the process to introduce a 20-year sentence for Russians who fight against the Russian Federation.”
It also noted some “high profile” Russians had most likely been side-lined in the country for their opposition to the war.
In Ukraine, the “Freedom for Russia Legion” which is made up of Russian citizens, is likely fighting alongside the Ukrainian military against their own countrymen.
The news could spell disaster for Putin as he faces what is becoming a drawn-out war of attrition with Russian causalities mounting all while having to deal with increasing political unrest and the exodus of Russia’s elite at home.
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