Who Are the 7 Russian Oligarchs
The term "Russian oligarch" usually refers to a small group of wealthy businessmen who gained major industrial assets in the 1990s privatizations. Forbes and other trackers often highlight a core group of around 7 oligarchs whose wealth and political ties are closely watched by governments and investors. These individuals built or controlled large companies in metals, oil, banking, aluminum, and other sectors, and their fortunes are measured in billions of dollars. The U.S. Treasury, the European Union, and other bodies have imposed sanctions on several of them because of their close links to the Kremlin and the Russian government's actions in Ukraine. The list below uses the most recent publicly available data from Forbes, official sanctions lists, and company filings, and it focuses on facts, companies, and rankings rather than speculation or opinion.
The exact ranking of the 7 richest Russian oligarchs can shift quickly with commodity prices, sanctions, and asset seizures, but the most commonly cited names include people with major stakes in metals, oil, banking, and aluminum. Many of them started their wealth during the chaotic privatization era of the 1990s, when state-owned factories and resources were sold to insiders. Their companies often became vertically integrated giants that control mining, refining, shipping, and energy assets across Russia and abroad. Western governments have frozen some of their assets, blocked their access to financial systems, and added them to sanctions lists, which has affected the value of their holdings and their ability to move money internationally. The following sections break down who they are, what they own, and how their wealth and influence are tracked.
Key Figures, Net Worth, and Major Companies
Alisher Usmanov
Alisher Usmanov is a Russian billionaire with major holdings in metals, mining, and technology. He was a large shareholder in Arsenal Football Club and has stakes in companies linked to iron ore, aluminum, and other industrial metals. Forbes has tracked his net worth in the billions, and his assets include stakes in firms that operate mines and smelters across Russia and other countries. He has been subject to European Union sanctions, which have frozen some of his assets and restricted his access to certain financial systems.
Vladimir Potanin is the head of the Interros conglomerate and one of the most prominent figures among the Russian oligarchs. He controls Norilsk Nickel, one of the world's largest producers of nickel and palladium, which are critical metals for batteries and electronics. Potanin's wealth has been closely tied to the price of these metals, and his companies have faced scrutiny over environmental and governance issues. His role in Russian industry and his political connections have made him a focus for analysts tracking the impact of sanctions on Russia's economy.
Roman Abramovich
Roman Abramovich is known for his ownership of Chelsea Football Club and his investments in oil and aluminum. He built his fortune through Sibneft, a major oil company that later became part of Gazprom Neft, and through investments in aluminum and other metals. Abramovich has been subject to sanctions and asset freezes by the European Union and the United Kingdom, which have targeted his business interests and personal wealth. His case illustrates how quickly the status of oligarchs can change as governments adjust their sanctions and enforcement actions.
Alexei Mordashov is the main shareholder of Severstal, one of Russia's largest steel and mining companies. Forbes has ranked him among the richest Russians, with his wealth tied to steel production, iron ore mining, and other industrial activities. He has been hit by multiple rounds of sanctions, and his assets have been frozen or restricted in various jurisdictions. His business operations span Russia and other countries, and his profile is often cited in discussions about the economic power of the oligarchs and their links to the Russian state.