Controversial 1990s figure quits Kremlin

The longtime official has left the country over the war in Ukraine, Bloomberg reported

Veteran Russian political figure Anatoly Chubais has resigned from his position as the special presidential aide for sustainable development and allegedly left the country. The move from the economist and long-time official was confirmed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday.

According to a Bloomberg report citing two "sources familiar with the situation," the decision was made due to his opposition to Russia’s military attack on Ukraine.

Chubais is best known for his role in the 1990s "loans for shares" scheme, under President Boris Yeltsin, which  is today blamed for having helped to create the "oligarch" class in Russia. It also caused millions of Russians to lose their savings and many people in the country have long held a negative view of the 66-year-old former Kremlin official. 

Forbes Russia said it contacted Chubais on the phone, but he dropped the call when asked about his whereabouts. The Kommersant business daily claimed the former official was spotted on Tuesday in Istanbul, Turkey.

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Chubais has remained part of the Russian government in various capacities, virtually without interruption, since 1991. He has a reputation as an avowed liberal and is known as a strong proponent of integrating Moscow with the West.