Member-only story

From Russia With Cash: The Inside Story of the Oligarchs

Lee Simmons

·12.3k Followers· Follow

Published in Londongrad: From Russia With Cash The Inside Story Of The Oligarchs

6 min read · 2 weeks before

1.8k View Claps

92 Respond

Save

Listen

The Russian oligarchs are a group of wealthy and influential individuals who emerged in the wake of the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991. They amassed their fortunes through a combination of privatization deals, insider trading, and corruption, and they have since become key players in Russian politics and economics.

The oligarchs have been accused of everything from money laundering to murder, and their close ties to the Kremlin have raised concerns about the extent of their influence over Russian society. In recent years, the United States and other Western countries have imposed sanctions on some of the oligarchs in an attempt to pressure the Kremlin to change its behavior.

However, the oligarchs remain a powerful force in Russia, and they continue to play a major role in shaping the country's future.

Londongrad: From Russia with Cash; The Inside Story of the Oligarchs

by Mark Hollingsworth

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	47266 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	419 pages

The Rise of the Oligarchs

The origins of the oligarchs can be traced back to the economic reforms of the late Soviet period. In the 1980s, the Soviet government began to allow private businesses to operate, and a small group of entrepreneurs took advantage of this opportunity to accumulate wealth.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, these entrepreneurs were able to further expand their businesses by acquiring state-owned assets at bargain prices. They also benefited from the chaos and corruption that followed the Soviet collapse, which allowed them to engage in insider trading and other forms of financial manipulation.

By the mid-1990s, a small group of oligarchs had emerged as the dominant players in Russian business. They controlled key sectors of the economy, including oil, gas, banking, and metals. They also had close ties to the Kremlin, and they used their wealth and influence to shape government policy.

The Oligarchs and the Kremlin

The oligarchs have always had a close relationship with the Kremlin. They have provided financial support to the government, and they have helped to shape economic policy. In return, the Kremlin has protected the oligarchs from prosecution and has allowed them to amass vast fortunes.

The relationship between the oligarchs and the Kremlin has been mutually beneficial. The oligarchs have used their wealth to influence government policy, and the Kremlin has used the oligarchs to control the economy. This relationship has led to a high degree of corruption and cronyism in Russia, and it has prevented the country from developing a more democratic and prosperous economy.

In recent years, the Kremlin has tightened its control over the oligarchs. The government has imposed new regulations on businesses, and it has cracked down on corruption. This has led some oligarchs to sell their assets and leave Russia. However, the most powerful oligarchs remain closely tied to the Kremlin, and they continue to play a major role in Russian politics and economics.

The Impact of the Oligarchs

The oligarchs have had a profound impact on Russia. They have amassed vast fortunes, and they have used their wealth to buy influence and control the media. They have also played a major role in shaping government policy, and they have benefited from the corruption and cronyism that is rife in Russia.

The oligarchs have also had a significant impact on global politics and economics. They have invested their wealth in Western countries, and they have used their influence to promote Russian interests. They have also been accused of interfering in foreign elections and of supporting authoritarian regimes around the world.

The oligarchs are a complex and controversial group of individuals. They have played a major role in shaping Russia's history, and they continue to be a powerful force in the country's politics and economics. However, their close ties to the Kremlin and their involvement in corruption and money laundering have also raised concerns about their influence over Russian society and the global order.

The Russian oligarchs are a fascinating and complex group of individuals. They have amassed vast fortunes, and they have used their wealth to buy influence and control the media. They have also played a major role in shaping government policy, and they have benefited from the corruption and cronyism that is rife in Russia.

Londongrad: From Russia with Cash; The Inside Story of the Oligarchs

by Mark Hollingsworth

4 out of 5