claiming Ukrainians 'playing with Nazi imagery' provoked Russia's barbaric invasion

• In interview the RMT chief said 'There were a lot of corrupt politicians in Ukraine'
• And claimed 'there were an awful lot of people playing with Nazi imagery' 
• Then went on to imply 'the trouble' (invasion) in Ukraine was down to this 'stuff'
• A lot of anger at him with some accusing Lynch of being a Putin 'enabler' 
• Lynch has condemned the invasion and has asked for Russian forces to leave 

Rail baron Mick Lynch has sparked fury by claiming that Ukrainians 'playing with Nazi imagery' provoked Russia's barbaric invasion. 

The general secretary of the RMT - who are planning train strikes this month - also claimed that 'there were a lot of corrupt politicians in Ukraine' and seemed to imply this was what lay behind the war on the sovereign state by Vladimir Putin. 

'There were a lot of corrupt politicians in Ukraine. And while they were doing that, there were an awful lot of people [in Ukraine] playing with Nazi imagery and going back to the [Second World] war, and all that. So, it's not just that this stuff has sprung from one place.'

The magazine and social media users then have claimed he was using a similar tool to Kremlin propaganda which has seen Putin apologists excuse the horrific attacks on the Ukraine people.

The general secretary of the RMT Mick Lynch (pictured, last month) - who are planning train strikes this month - also claimed that 'there were a lot of corrupt politicians in Ukraine' and seemed to imply this was what lay behind the war on the sovereign state by Vladimir Putin

Since Russia's shelling and constant attacks on large populated cities in Ukraine, a a total of 5,024 Ukrainians have been killed while 12 million people have fled their homes. 

And social media users, including some on the left, have criticised Mr Lynch's comments in light of the incredible aggression. 

One user said: 'It really sucks that the UK's most impressive union is led by Putin apologists.' 

Another person said: 'Why do all the good union communicators have to be Putin enablers.'

He also came under shelling for his views on China, which recently seemed to threaten Taiwan with hostile action. 

'I don't know if what I'm told by The Telegraph and by American policy writers [about China] is true,' he said.

'We were told Saddam Hussein was the greatest threat to the Western world that there had ever been … what he actually had was a very oppressive regime against his own people and a collection of pots and boilers that he'd strung together as so-called Scud missiles.

The RMT has snubbed an 8 per cent pay rise over this year and next from Network Rail, an offer Mr Shapps said was 'very good'. Network Rail has issued the union with a section 188 warning, meaning it can begin forcing through changes without its consent.

But Mr Shapps said the notices will also start being served on behalf of 15 train operators serving most of England within weeks.