Putin adviser quits over Ukraine conflict
A close adviser of Russian President Vladimir has quit in opposition to the Ukraine conflict and left Russia.
Russian climate envoy Anatoly Chubais resigned over disagreements with Mr Putin on the war, reports news agency Bloomberg.
Mr Chubais, 66, had been one of the architects of Russia's privatisation drive in the 1990s.
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Russian climate envoy and aide to President Vladimir Putin Anatoly Chubais has reportedly resigned from his position and left the country. Getty images
He was appointed envoy for sustainable development last year by Mr Putin.
Mr Chubais announced his resignation in a letter to colleagues and friends on Tuesday, according to people who saw it.
Since the launch of the Ukraine invasion on February 24, the Kremlin has cracked down on dissent in Russia.
It triggered a flight of political activists, journalists, celebrities and business figures critical of the war or fearing its consequences.
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Russian police have cracked down on anti-war protesters in St Petersburg and other cities.. AP
The Russian government also passed new laws criminalising criticism of what the Kremlin calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine.
Last week, Mr Putin unleashed a venomous diatribe at those who oppose his course.
"The Russian people will always be able to distinguish true patriots from scum and traitors and will simply spit them out like a gnat that accidentally flew into their mouths — spit them out on the pavement," Mr Putin said.
- Reported with Associated Press
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