Part 9/14:
Not all oligarchs conformed willingly. The regime resorted to arrests, asset seizures, and public trials to instill fear. A stark example is Vadim Moskovich, who owned the agricultural giant Rousagro, and was detained in 2025 on vague charges of fraud. His arrest was less about justice and more about signal: even the most modestly prominent are not safe if they oppose the Kremlin.
Similarly, Constantine Studukov, a prolific gold miner, attempted to flee Russia amidst mounting sanctions and was intercepted. His assets were swiftly nationalized under claims of legal violations—another warning that wealth built over decades can be stolen overnight if it’s deemed necessary for the war effort.