Vladimir Putin’s government has launched an aggressive campaign to nationalize the assets of Konstantin Strukov, one of Russia’s richest men and the owner of the country’s largest gold mining company. The move marks a sharp escalation in the Kremlin’s efforts to extract wealth from within its own elite as the financial toll of the war in Ukraine deepens.

Strukov, whose fortune is estimated at over $3.5 billion, is the founder of Yuzhuralzoloto—a gold empire built over decades with strong ties to the Kremlin. But on July 5, his private jet was grounded by Russian authorities as it prepared to leave for Turkey. His passport was reportedly seized, and the aircraft barred from departing.

    • Tryenjer@lemmy.world
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      4 hours ago

      If most of them are as smart and lucid as Musk, they won’t learn anything.

      US billionaires think they can control Trump, and that’s very likely true. The worst is yet to come for these rich guys when someone who can truly reverse the power dynamics and thus rule them with an iron fist, as well as the common people, takes the throne.

      • finitebanjo@lemmy.world
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        9 hours ago

        Trump cannot be controlled, everything is purely transactional with him. The moment he gains more from taking businesses by force, thats what he will do.

        Trust and deals have no meaning to him. This is a theif without honor.

        • JcbAzPx@lemmy.world
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          4 hours ago

          He can be controlled for as long as you have access. He bends to the will of the nearest person like a weed blowing in the wind.