Ukraine's richest man Rinat Akhmetov on Thursday accused Russian troops of committing "crimes against humanity against Ukrainians" despite long being considered pro-Moscow.
"What is unfolding here is a war crime and a crime against humanity, against Ukraine and the Ukrainians," Akhmetov told Forbes Ukraine magazine.
"This can neither be explained nor justified," Akhmetov said when asked why Russian troops were targeting civilians and shelling entire residential areas.
He said victory for Ukraine would mean returning to the borders that existed before Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and backed separatists who seized eastern parts of Ukraine including Donbas.
"A total ceasefire, complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, and full restoration of the internationally-recognised borders of Ukraine. That includes the Crimea and Donbas," he said.
Ranked 327 among global fortunes, with an estimated $5.5 billion, Akhmetov has been president of football team Shakhtar Donetsk since 1996 and founder of SCM Holdings, which specialises in steelmaking, energy but also coal and metallurgy.
He was for years the main financial sponsor of Viktor Yanukovich's Regions Party, a pro-Russian president who was toppled following the pro-European revolution in 2014.
Akhmetov hailed the "united action of the western world on an unprecedented scale" in support of Ukraine since Russia's invasion on February 24.
When asked whether the Kremlin had broader aims than Ukraine, he replied: "Putin is aiming at countries that have democracy, freedom, and independence."
"So all the free world countries are potential targets. If Ukraine together with you fails to stop him, nobody knows who's next," he warned.
Regarding his activities in Ukraine, he said: "In wartime, our company operates accordingly. Now our utmost goal is to help Ukrainians survive and withstand."
He said the goal was also to help the army to defend Ukraine's sovereignty, freedom and independence.
Akhmetov had announced his return home following an appeal from President Volodymyr Zelensky for unity among the country's wealthy in mid-February, shortly before the invasion.
He said he was still in Ukraine.
Akhmetov said he had no contacts with wealthy Russians since the war started.
