There have been social media messages calling for peace, after an image of a murdered Russian opposition figure, a newspaper editorial demanding President Vladimir Putin “stop this war.”
As Russian forces pound Ukraine’s cities, the sentiments might not be surprising. Their source is — they come from rich Russians, including billionaires close to the Kremlin.
Russia’s war on Ukraine has sent shockwaves through the global community of wealthy Russians, who face sanctions that threaten their London mansions, Mediterranean yachts and children’s places at elite European private schools.
Some have begun, albeit tentatively, to speak out — though it may be too little to end the war, or to protect their Western fortunes.
“It’s very cautious steps, but nevertheless you can see they are already thinking of the future and trying to save whatever they can,” said Elisabeth Schimpfössl, author of the book “Rich Russians.”
