How did a select group of businessmen plunder the remains of the Soviet Union?
The term oligarch is now linked to extreme luxury and political influence. This video examines the rise of post-Soviet billionaires and the specific mechanisms they used to amass vast fortunes during the collapse of the Russian state.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, a small group of well-connected individuals seized the opportunity to acquire massive wealth. Figures such as Roman Abramovich, Vladimir Potanin, Alisher Usmanov, and Oleg Deripaska became prominent examples of this phenomenon, often associated with superyachts and high-stakes political maneuvering.
The video explores how these businessmen transitioned from opportunistic operators to some of the world's wealthiest people by capitalizing on the transition of the Russian economy. Understanding their rise provides critical context for their current status and influence in global news.
