The Vice President of Russia’s Gazprombank, one of the largest private banks in the nation, has quit his position and left the country, dissenting against the war in Ukraine. Igor Volobuev also expressed his desire to join Kyiv’s territorial defence in an interview with The Insider, an independent Russian publication.
“I could no longer be in Russia. I am Ukrainian by nationality, I was born in Akhtyrka, I could no longer observe from the outside what Russia is doing to my homeland”, the former banker said.
He also claimed that he managed to reach Kyiv despite holding a Russian passport, and intended to remain in Ukraine until the nation won.
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Volobuev also explained his decision to leave Russia, saying, “My homeland is in danger now, and I cannot live a well-fed, contented life while my father, who lives in Akhtyrka, is being killed, when my relatives, acquaintances, friends are being killed.”
He added that joining Ukraine’s defence forces has been on his mind since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent forces into the neighbouring country on February 24.
Since then, Russian forces have been accused of committing war crimes, with airstrikes targeting civilians and soldiers also murdering people in cold blood, as evidenced in the Bucha mass graves. Referring to this, Volobuev continued, “This is a crime on the part of Putin, the Russian authorities, and, in fact, the Russian people”.
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As per Volobuev, he’s been with Gazprombank for the last six years, and before that worked for Gazprom, the holding company, for over 16 years.
Volobuev isn’t the only Russian who’s raised his voice against the war in Ukraine. Previously, a newsperson also barged in during a live telecast to express anti-war sentiments. Meanwhile, Kremlin, in an effort to silence dissenting voices has passed a bill which even gives prison time to those spreading ‘fake news‘ about Russian troops.
