Oligarchs like Potanin maintained massive political and financial influence before Putin came to power in 1999. The most influential "Yeltsin-era" oligarchs include the now-sanctioned businessmen, Mikhail Fridman and Pyotr Aven.










AP/Alexander Zemlianichenko
















The elites who remained were forced to support Putin's government. Meanwhile, a new generation of oligarchs began amassing wealth through personal relationships with the Putin administration.










Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) looks on Rosneft President Igor Sechin (R) during Russian-Chinese talks at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow.



Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

Source: Business Insider

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