Condemning Russia's bombing actions in Syria, billionaire investor George Soros accused President Vladimir Putin of taking advantage of the leadership vacuum ahead of the U.S presidential elections, according to CNBC News.
"The world is witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe of historic proportions. It is happening in Syria. It is being perpetrated by the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, in support of his protégé, (Syrian President) Bashar al-Assad," Soros said in a new statement on his website Thursday morning.
"When the facts are fully established, Putin's bombing of Aleppo will be viewed as among the modern world's most egregious war crimes."
The civil war in Syria, which has been going on for almost six years, has sparked tension between the U.S. and Russia, who are backing opposite sides in the war-torn country.
Soros also alleged that Russian planes were bombing the civilian population of Aleppo.
"President Putin is moving aggressively to exploit the four months between now and the Jan. 20 U.S. presidential inauguration, based on a callous political calculation," he said.
In September, Soros pledged to invest up to $500 million in programs and companies benefiting migrants and refugees fleeing life-threatening situations, according to Bloomberg.
Soros also told the citizens of Russia, Europe, and the rest of the world to raise their voice against the atrocities.
"I appeal to the people of Russia, Europe, and the rest of the world not to stand idly by, but to spread the word and voice their outrage. An outpouring of public opinion could induce President Putin to put an end to his heinous crimes against humanity."
Soros' Open Society Foundations has been banned by Russia which believes the organization poses a threat to the Russian constitution and state security.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.