Russian chess grandmaster and politician Anatoly Karpov has publicly supported Russia's actions in Ukraine. Karpov, who is a member of the State Duma and a member of the United Russia party, voted in favor of Russia's recognition of the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" and "Luhansk People's Republic". This move has been widely criticized by the international community.

Karpov has been an active politician in Russia for many years. He has previously served as a member of the Public Chamber of Russia and as a member of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights.