In the wake of the Soviet Union’s collapse, Russia was thrust into a wild experiment in capitalism. Factories, oil fields, and entire industries were auctioned off at breakneck speed, often under shady circumstances. Economic chaos, hyperinflation, and a collapsing social order left power up for grabs—and a new elite emerged seemingly overnight. These were not mere businessmen, but oligarchs: ruthless, resourceful, and unashamedly flashy. Their rise transformed Russia into a land where gangsters wore Gucci and fortunes changed hands in backroom deals, forever altering the country’s social and political fabric.
Written by
