How the KGB shaped Vladimir Putin and his Russian oligarchs | It's Complicated
As Russia sent troops into Ukraine in February, countries around the world imposed severe sanctions on a group of influential Russian billionaires known as oligarchs. The intention being to turn the screw on Vladimir Putin’s war finances.
Subscribe to The Guardian on KZhead ► bit.ly/subscribegdn
But who are these oligarchs, and how does Putin manage them and their wealth? Through the stories of two prominent businessmen, Roman Abramovich and Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Josh Toussaint-Strauss examines how Putin’s days in the KGB have informed the way he controls his web of oligarchs and their fortunes
The Guardian publishes independent journalism, made possible by supporters. Contribute to The Guardian today ► bit.ly/3biVfwh
Website ► www.theguardian.com
Facebook ► / theguardian
Twitter ► / guardian
Instagram ► / guardian
#Putin #KGB #Russia #Oligarchs #RomanAbramovich #BorisBerezovsky #MikhailKhordorkovsky
There is just one thing missing: how did the UK become Putin oligarchs' safe heaven?
geömänsi ? beeleaf in maghikk? islünz? xD?
Money, money...
You'd be surprised how much of the money ends up in the United States -- in private trusts.
You can find a video about that too.
@@gnommmes where is the video?
I don’t think anyone paying even slight attention to the oligarchs in Londongrad ever believed they came across their wealth honestly. It just suited the many jackals who attained immense fortunes and power themselves by looking the other way, including Boris and friends.
Yeah .. that sentence in the video made my eyebrows raise
The electoral campaign of Boris Johnson was sponsored by Russian oligarchs
Just like the USA!
@@tomasbickel58 Yes, I stopped the video at that point just to comment the same!
And now corrupt money people start to going to jail in Uk. At least the uk are doing something about it but American hardly seen propel go to jail with corrupt money as they politicians are corrupted.
Why does the UK allow Oligarchs to buy property in their country ?? The british politicians should be held accountable
exactly right
The London square mile financial district is one giant laundry machine
Because they have given up on sustaining themselves. They tolerate everything that shouldn’t be
Stand up for yourselves
@@MEERU_KAURpoliticians are all muppets for the elite 11 who control there parts of the world to control the population of earth
The citizens of the Russian federation have not had it easy, my prayers are with the people of Ukraine and the citizens of Russia who just want peace and to live their lives.
It's true, the western leaders trying to get control of Ukraine and Putin doing the same and caught in between are the ordinary people of Ukraine who is dying in the war alongside the young russians who are sent to fight Putins war.
maybe öne däy theyll häve id ezejähr
Agreed i dont blame the Russian people for putins tyrant leadership style. He harms anyone who goes against his agenda. Living in Russia under those conditions is very harmful. Living in fear.
Interestingly, theres a lot of disinformation and media control in Russia that there are likely more supporters of the war not. The average Russian is not middle class.
@@RoyalCrown133 well the first thing he did when he became the president. He started a war inside Russia in Chechnya, it was exactly the same as in Ukraine now. But wasn't covered, since no technology /internet in early 2000s. Russians who tried to publicly say something about it were killed or Dissapeard.
Loyalty wealth and back channel dealings are the way of the world. Not just in Russia.
maybe your world
@@MEERU_KAUR It is.
100% agree
@@MEERU_KAUR naive
Really weird how they literally say that an oligarch is only an oligarch if he's Russian
Russian as in citizen of Russia. In russian language there are two different words for a person of russian ethnicity and a person who is a citizen of Russia. Both these words are translated into English as "russian"
@@eenuff every country in the world is an oligarchy. Yet they single out russia specifically because... why?
@@Zeusselll because historically its been associated with russian businessmen. I agree we should start using it to describe corrupt businesspeople in every country
@@eenuff Specifially those who owed their wealth thanks to their political connections.
the disparity between russian oligarchs and ordinary russians is far greater than anything you'd see in the west.
Excellent report, thank you. Small suggestion: please tone down the intrusive music, bits of the narrative are drowned out!
"If the people understood the banking system, there would be a revolution tomorrow." ~ Henry Ford
Most enlightening thank-you ! An explanation of his ideological inner circle next ?
He's having an existential crisis and he is dealing with it as aging dictators do.
No one should have so much power in one person.
Julia Ioffe ( a Russian-born American journalist) stated that Putin places a LOT of meaning in milestone dates; he's turning 70 in October. He wants a legacy to be remembered by. As I am crudely putting it, "He wants to get the band ( the old USSR) back together".
Ironically, Putin will be remembered in one of two ways: (1) the Russian leader destroyed the economy, military, self-respect and lives of thousands of its young people, or (2) the Russian leader who decided to start a nuclear war and destroy civilization. I don't see any other option in his future.
@@awpetersen5909 He doesnt, no one rules alone For example cant fire a nuke unless he gets the ok of 5 generals
It's totally something related to fast advancing Parkinson. He's so jerky and bloated for being such a usually stoic dude. He believes his own brand of delusions.
uncomplicate it with lessons on the value of each life on earth, respect for your fellow human being and humility.
I know what you are trying to say, but this doesn't make sense.
We want part 2 of this
True, but we always knew how the Russian oligarchs made their money but never did anything about it. The real question now is are we actually "taking" their money and giving it to rebuild Ukraine or just talking and "arresting" the money. I bet Abramovich still lives a life of luxury as we watch this video, that most of his money is safe, especially in the long run.
Onkel, Klaus you won't hear from the looted cash again for the same reaons why assets of african despots put in place by western nations are never ever returned . its washed into UK economy. same with latin american dictoaros;' cash hidden here. so you've got 5 very problematic european nations that are complicit .
Watch The New Tsar
And about how the Biden make their money
Great video explaining and experiencing videos such as the vox videos as well.
Autocracy sucks! POWER MEAN RESPONSIBILITY MEAN ACCOUNTABILITY 👈
What democracy given us (world)? War in Middle East, aimless war in Afghanistan..
@@gauravchhajed832 still a better option to live in a democracy. The middle east doesn't really have a serious democracy at this time. It takes time to build
Just like the Clinton's accountable for everything they did
@@hadror13 and who's fault is that please educate before you talk rubish
Morally correct
It's amazing how you all can gang up on issues like this. May be you could also gang up and press the so called democracy haven country to release Assange
Thank you the voice of reason
Yes absolutely. Screaming silence over Assange.
Excellent report!
To be fair we have oligarchy in American politics as well! 🤥
American politicians ARE the oligarchs. More than this, whole family clans skipping power from father to son or husband to wife in generations.
The difference between America and Russia is that Russia doesnt bother to hide its an oligarchy
USA is an oligarchy
Can you do Ukrainians oligarchs next?
No they won’t lol.
Madness. Mr Sir.
one big mafia
usa?
POPE&CO?
@@Anonymous-qj3sf who cares? Another topic, now it is about Russia.
Well done
Loyalty, wealth and back channel dealings are the means of ANY organization. The more money involved the more ruthless the behavior.
As if the same doesn't happen in America and Europe
Thank you, gentlemen! You have shared our plight with everyone in the world. Fight with Ukraine for the right to live, for the truth, for freedom 💙💛
Ukraine is always part of Russia. Orthodox Empire
Freedom 🤣😂
😂 Ukraine is a playground for oligarchs
And the GOP in U.s. falls right in line with this , right in line
As do the Democrats
And democrats in 🇺🇸usa with china 🇨🇳. And hunter bidens illegal activity in ukraine before 2014.
grämpce öHl pärDie xXD ! ?! vv möhr fütschja möhr chögg ^ ^
An excellent report! Thank you!
Nah, its not. Much to short to catch a broad picture. This whole issue is not explained in 8mins and just opens to many questions that still leave unanswered in my view.
His daughters are probably living it up ,while the Ukrainian people suffer no water food power ,people dieing everywhere
The same thing was only 100 times worse in Iraq, Libya and now in Syria
@@Anonymous-qj3sf Your whataboutism is noted.
@@Cursed_Mark sir thank you for your comment
@@Anonymous-qj3sfthank you very much for your answer
@@Cursed_Mark You should know facts first bub, when speaking on Ukraine there are numerous non Russian allies on the ground in ukraine reporting exactly what russia had been saying about Ukraine using its civilians as human shields and that Russia has not been doing what the west is saying, its like watching the west implode over nonsense written by their own government, its not like they were lying to you for the past 40 years right?
Perfect
Thanks
Be my guest.
Everyone has the right to live and not be drugged.
Putin definitely planned his future during his kgb training lol.
For sure
Where is Gonzalo Lira??
I like the graphics and look of this video.
Can you please remind us the location of a city once referred to as ”Londongrad”?
Just so every guy knows: Oligarchs is just a discriminatory name for billionaires that was born in Russia.
Kleptoparasitic birds of a feather like seagulls flock together lol😂😂
KGB established a military/industrial complex…just what is happening here!
The crooked US military industrial complex has been around for at least a hundred years go back a bit over a hundred years to the start of ww1 then US President Woodrow Wilson used the war in Europe as a chance to avoid a recession in the US creating a situation where US banks loaned money to the allied countries such as France Britain and others lining the pockets of US banks and armenants company shareholders the US military industrial complex still is operating the same way namely a system of war profiteering a rotten shop that needs prosecuting and regulating.
@@christophera556 thank you… didn’t know all that.
JULIUS OLOMIPUTIN SHOULD CALL STOP THIS WAR NOW
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win (с)
They are oligarchs in Russia,but when they come to London they are just buisnismen , wright?
A work of art. Bravo Guardians. Bravo for your style as much as your content. Absolutely flawless.
How about a doc on how GCHQ shaped the Guardian's reporting?
Whataboutism Willie
The man The Myth The Legend
No Oligarchs should be allowed to stay in any country for more than tourist visas allow, roam the world permanently or stay in Russia.
So cool
U.K which never appologised for the Jallianwala Massacre,now wants other countries to condemn Bucha massacre.
maybe because it happened over 100 years ago....
@@bobmiter3045What difference does it make? A massacre is still a massacre, no matter how much time has passed.
Makes your stomach churn! 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦💪🌻🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦💪🌻🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 Glory to Ukraine! 💪💪💪
"The Russians are coming"
Go to the front line instead of fighting with words
@@cicada07622 Go to your physician for a labotamy! 🇺🇦💪
Hohols are not the smartest bunch
It's weird the overrepresentation of certain demographically tiny people, in power, there too...
Is Eton like this? I wonder 🤔.
Interesting this was all new to me, didn't know Mikhail Khodorkovsky was former KGB too and the rise of Roman Abramovich is interesting.
All thieves
Patriarch Krill an ex-KGB come-Primate-Archbishop of Russia, also had influence over & whatever on Putin's path to Russian's Highest Office, the majority went into Putin's and the oligarchs pockets. Justice and change, more for the people or else Putin must retire gracefully. Hope for Peace and Peoples returns in prosperities equalities to and for all.
High oil prices or endless wars+shame, what do you choose? Its time to decide for everyone.
Back channel dealings happens everywhere, even in the US and Europe! Don't be that naive, lol. 😅🤣
If the people of the future could go back to the past they would tell you to look at the tanks (old) look at the air craft (minimal) look at the solders (children and insubordinates) does this look like a war or were you just been drawn into a false sense of security that you now have, how can we tell you to open your eyes there is a bigger picture, Please look this did not end well !!!
18 year old: "Hey can borrow $2k for a new car?" Bank: "No you're too young to spend that kind of money." 18 year old "Hey can I borrow $150k for a degree which will trap me in debt forever?" Bank: "Absolutely, sign here!"
the blood of the innocent be on the hands of Russia.
Hahaha, really?!
@@Viggypop571 yes, piggy.
I swear "Roman" was in a movie.
This is an ASMR session or what? Sleepy voice.
True facts
It's basically their Eton.
You got your maps wrong, West Germany was never part of the Soviet sphere of influence.
It's where they bought western goods for their scheme.
@@N-JKoordt They should have painted W. Germany with a different colour as all the nations of the Warsaw Pact are pink.
It is today, it seems.
@@redangrybird7564 west germany is grey here not pink
@@jeanivanjohnson They have modified the video. It was wrong two days ago.
Вот за что я действительно уважаю Путина, так это за то, что он поставил олигархов на место и прекратил эту финансовую анархию.
👏👏👏👏👏👏
what's the name of the song at 4:25?
Every nation have oligarchy dont play innocent , if dont have oligarchy who will run economy. 😅
They are at loggerhead
Stop calling it Sanctions. Call it what it is... Special Economic Operation.
More like special economic backfire by special Olympics champions in EU.
@@cianakril Forget the EU, Ukraine have more balls than all of the EU and I believe EU should join Ukraine and no the other way around.
@@oncoded by how the things unfold, EU is indeed heading Ukrainian way.
I wanna know how the CIA shaped oligarchs like Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Zuckerberg
Bueno punto 👍
unlike russian oligarhs, all these people created actual companies, they didn't steal their money
@@MMALEAKS Don’t be a fool, every oligarch steals money from whatever they can get it from. Even American ones.
@@MMALEAKSWell said.
@@MMALEAKS And who's lying to himself lol
Why have any music at all about War? Focus on quality and gravity of global topic.
The thing that is missing is the answer to the question in the title. There is no explanation of mechanisms in which KGB shaped Putin and the Oligarchs. So despite looking quite well-prepared and structred, this video really is just a clikbait.
He really makes you feel, tiny.. Right? 😁🤣
Hahaha Germany is always afraid of Putin's threat to support and deploy heavier lethal weapons for Ukraine!
It’s interesting that if you search online the phrase ’Putin Russian organized crime’, the results invariably yield articles that include the Russian oligarchy. It seems that Putin maintains his grip on power with the combined support of organized crime and oligarchs.
espanish pleased!! Como hispanoparlante les pido, y les agradezco de antemano, que sus muy buenos documentales periodísticos, lo traduzcan al español
Julian De castro. a picture says a thousands words.
General comb-over and his henchmen.
this guy is legend
What a shame...all that energy focused on stilling, cheating, lying and poisoning only to go full circle to miserable times again. What a waste...but never in their history learned lessons.😞
Where is Gonzalo Lira?
Killed.
Goverment bans trade and emidiately opens black market itself. That's all you need to know
It’s been called a kind of mafiacracy?And we wish Putin stayed a deputy mayor the rest of his life!
Orlando Figes is a KGB Officer
The money no protect family
Finished watching 8:05
Convincente lo a cambiare voi potete
What of the US and UK Oligarchs
This should be "How the West shaped Vladimir Putin".
The higher they are, the harder they fall.
I just have old motor cyclewhichever new eople can use itbutaftertheycanbuyunever borrow until cars
The influence of the Soviet collapse is still felt now? Russia is a history that would be similar to Britain's if we had made the same mistakes.🎯
Thanks Guardian, now please do the same for the FBI and CIA. Thanks again!!!
Why didn't any Guardian journalist reach out to Putin for his comments?
Does anyone actually believe anything the guardian or the BBC is spewing anymore? I think those days have passed.
As a hungarian, I have seen this.
this is how the entire world works
Only it's not. But many Russians and other ex-Soviets think so yes, and that's part of the problem. They have been victimized for so long, by so many different regimes, that they believe it's normal.
No
The maker of this video has "mysteriously" gone missing.
🇲🇽 The President of Mexico called inexplicable the actions of the United States, which for 4 years have allocated absolutely nothing for the development of the countries of Central America and at the same time urgently invested 30 billion dollars in the war in Ukraine
Mzinsk agreement? Hmmm
Todos los países tienen oligarcas, más aún, los oligarcas más grandes son Británicos, Belgas, de Países Bajos y algunos Venecianos. ¿?
A KGB operative,now president wants to conduct special military operations in Ukraine...