NPR

Why so many Russian billionaires are called oligarchs

Many of the sanctions the U.S. and EU have imposed on Russia are meant to target some of the country's wealthiest. But what's the difference between a "normal" billionaire and an "oligarch"?
Spain's government said this week it impounded this superyacht called "Valerie," moored in Barcelona, saying it belonged to a Russian oligarch.

Many of the sanctions the United States and the European Union have imposed on Russia are meant to target some of the country's wealthiest individuals who have ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Yachts, sports teams, newspapers and luxury real

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