Israeli-based founder of Russian tech giant Yandex slams ‘barbaric war’ in Ukraine

Arkady Volozh, Russia's largest internet search engine Yandex CEO, attends an annual VTB Capital "Russia Calling!" Investment Forum in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.  (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Arkady Volozh, Russia's largest internet search engine Yandex CEO, attends an annual VTB Capital "Russia Calling!" Investment Forum in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

The founder of Russian tech giant Yandex describes Moscow’s military invasion of Ukraine as “barbaric,” making him one of few prominent Russian-linked businessmen to speak out against the conflict.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is barbaric, and I am categorically against it,” Arkady Volozh says in a statement.

“I am horrified about the fate of people in Ukraine — many of them my personal friends and relatives — whose houses are being bombed every day,” Volozh says.

“I am against the war,” he adds.

Volozh, who moved to Israel in 2014, resigned as CEO of Yandex and stepped down from the board of directors in June last year after he was targeted by EU sanctions.

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