How Putin's Oligarchs Hide Their Billions | Investigators

How did oligarch Dmitry Firtash, aka Putin’s ‘Man in Ukraine’, end up buying a tube station in the heart of London? And what does this tell us about the British attitude to dirty money?
London is the go-to place for Putin’s associates to come and spend their dirty money - billions of dollars are thought to be laundered through the capital every year. But since the Russian invasion and subsequent war in Ukraine, the UK is now under pressure to ramp up sanctions and crack down on it.
Oliver Bullough, journalist and author of ‘Butler to the World’ investigates Dmitry Firtash and analyses the UK’s role as a butler to oligarchs, kleptocrats and tax dodgers.
Watch more from this series:
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• How Sergei Magnitsky U...
How Drugs and Mobile Phones Get Into British Prisons
• How Drugs and Mobile P...
The Man Behind the World's Biggest Financial Fraud
• The Man Behind the Wor...
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[@lshaps46]

The British government allowed this activity for years. One wonders how many British politicians have been paid off.

[@daniellawyatt]

Same with the US.

[@adamgunn2885]

Literally every Tory MP. They are the ones to blame for this nonsense, and they are the ones to blame for how expensive it is to buy/rent property in London

[@DoggPoundBDN]

Who cares it do t effect u or me only the rich

[@bootsyvanbeathoven2632]

@@adamgunn2885 And in Amsterdam!

[@steveeddy6876]

Yes not much about this in the Lame stream media!

[@amartyaroy3754]

Can any UK lawyer explain to me, how come ordinary British people have to account for every pound they have whereas these Oligarchs can buy million-dollar properties anonymously?

[@David-bi6lf]

Same way big companies can avoid tax. Lawyers that know the loop holes can charge big money. The average person doesn't pay the tax man enough tax without loop holes to profit from hiring a lawyer to seek out those loop holes. Big companies and oligarchs do. Officials probably benefit from the loop holes so why put effort into filling them.

[@brandonhallam51]

Have to look at the difference between people and legal entities. Normal people operate using their own identity as a legal entity to conduct commerce. But if they are willing or able to pay the cost they can create a separate legal entity not tied to their identity to purchase and conduct commerce.

[@Eusantdac]

They set-up different companies, under different names, backed by lawyers who know all the loopholes and it's all good for them. Do ordinary British people have money to spend on creating fronts for their assets?

[@mrmc2465]

Because they are rich and you are a 9-5 plodder. They can make people stupidly rich and you can hardly afford a round down the pub, simple really😂

[@holeefuk413]

Do you really need an explanation for that one?

[@Obekant08]

"Approximately 500 people, the 500 people around v.p. own more wealth than the bottom 99.8% of the population and uniquely for a major economy, more than half of that wealth is not in Russia but is owned outside Russia...". Fascinating, astounding and grotesque.

[@alanmaribor]

This is something like America! 🤣🤣🤣 Black Rock have 10 trilions! Nobody care! Why? Media fake homeless spirit....

[@Cinoth]

The ordinary people of Russia are getting screwed over royally by Putin and his rich gang.

[@RR-et6zp]

Putin is a trillionaire

[@chriss7930]

1 %of the world population has 99% of the money !

[@kristiyannikolov2668]

Pretty much same everywhere

[@janwienecke1473]

Once you understand the monetary system you realize that earth is a slave planet. If you can't see it you just haven't understood it yet.

[@MarlonBrando420]

British agents were more than happy to take the commissions. Let’s not kid ourselves

[@O-beefie]

Yes bro he said Britain is biggest enablers

[@jarrad5244]

Britain sells their country off to Russians

[@AbdulAli-ku9he]

100% True.

[@aspinx]

Now, somebody can seize it and sell it again!

[@toke7560]

The top British are corrupt on the same level as the Oligarchs. In fact they would give the worlds worst a good run for the money.

[@TheChazas]

People know money is power, but sometimes don't realize how big of a power, it rules and corrupts everything and everywhere.

[@mubirunyago9178]

It even corrupted the communists so much so that they are more capitalist than capitalists themselves.

[@foreignmonarch5694]

1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” ‭‭

[@MrSupernova111]

Absolutely! I'm tired of commoners worshiping the elite. Common working people are expendable in the eyes of the elite and the see us as a labor force whose only purpose is to serve them.

[@OGRH]

Yup! That's why the most corrupt evil resides in the US & has all types of propaganda networks, like VICE for instance!

[@--Valek--]

Now ask who owns the federal reserve or stfu

[@DiegoLinde]

"Its a big club and you ain't in it" -- George Carlin people act surprised but in one way or another it's always been like this. It's by design but concealed. Monarchy, politicians, super-elites and rich...our society is corrupt, but most of us are either ignorant or don't say anything.

[@juststuff5216]

I disagree with the claim that the British Government feel 'Shame' or a sense of 'Embarrassment'. I don't think British politicians, on either side of the House, have those emotions!

[@kimblecheat]

That is Deripaska's house btw; we cleaned it and were paid through different shell companies.

[@TheLastSultan420]

How long it took for the payments to clear?

[@dsdddsd4543we]

Soft power at play. If you own assets in London, the politicians, salesmen, and residents become friendly. Sports teams, art, property, yachts, high-end cars.

[@erenelvis666]

John mearsheimer is shaking

[@roseoverdose6451]

Sorry but how THE HELL are people who "assisted" them in buying assets in your country LEGALLY guilty of anything? Absolutely ridiculous! This guy is a moron. Putin and his buddies are disgusting, but really... that comment was disgusting.

[@speedomike747]

Yes and if you cross the line you can say bye bye to the your assets and friendly people.. which this Ukraine situation proves

[@kevinh9093]

@@speedomike747 dont be fooled, its all smoke and mirrors lol. Those oligarchs and most of their assets will be perfectly fine

[@MrGreFunky]

@@kevinh9093 Yep. And it isn't just these oligarchs. Our government is exactly the same. It's just Russia is the next enemy, so the corrupt media will point out the crimes of Russians, without exposing themselves.

[@pastreetkings29]

What blows my mind is that just because we don't agree with them politically. That gives every country in the world the right to steal their property? Imagine if every country did that. What kind of property rights would anyone have?

[@sybariticops]

As some might argue, the right to “steal” their property is a form of sanctions and could even be classified as a form of future anticipated “war reparations”; all this predicated on whether or not one believes Putin’s government and military is waging a war of aggression, ie-post WWI Germany, for example.

[@oneflyguy1949]

They have been doing it for 1000s of years

[@bastymanguy]

Ya these high-end properties sometimes build down, like about 7 stories maybe. Saw that documentary around 2010. Happens in London because they can’t build up in some particular areas due to zoning restrictions.

[@kimblecheat]

I had a conversation with an Oligarch a few years ago. My company was working on his house - I knew then, saw photos of him with Putin and heard his laugh when I asked a question of him. The answer was 'why do you think they never mention Russia' his laugh was relaxed and happy, as he spent another million on ripping up and refitting floors as his wife thought the shade of colour was n't what she had asked for.

[@mattjo8577]

Have you any jobs going

[@shubham_dalvi]

@@capturedflame where are you from?

[@carcotasu081]

@@capturedflame You sound like a tool lmao

[@squirrel9999]

Sounds like bullshit, million for a floor

[@charlessmith3940]

What question did you ask? Your post makes no sense.

[@shirleylangton7967]

Letting oligarchs/the very rich set trends for real estate and the ownership of it, ultimately encourages gouging and over-pricing of real estate for ordinary people who can't even afford a home anymore! The money definitely needs to be tracked for all real estate. Water, food, and housing should be rights for everyone!!!

[@mrmc2465]

The oligarchs aren't the ones printing the currency into oblivion, if you educated yourself as to the real problems then wild goose chases wouldn't be necessary

[@tysnow9524]

That would be nice but the rich set the rules and the common people like you and me have no power to stop it. The oligarchs have their hands in so many pocket that they have become untouchable.

[@4Dwooorld]

At list be honest with yourself. If you work for someone from 8:00 to 17:00, you don't know how to organise and run a business. It means you want to live in socialism. The country were people lived by your ideas and rules was The Soviet Union (North Korea, China, Cuba, Vietnam, ets). Socialism failed in 1991. If you are not able to be independent and make money by yourself you have to take what you have been given by people who can run business. If you cannot cut trees, you cannot have a proper house. Life is tough and you are not a child. You expect that someone will give you everything. Those people took money from me, my family, my country and transferred them to your country. While you could benefit from them all of you were happy. Now you are not happy any more, because more and more people want have easy life. If someone gives me one million or more for my house, I will definitely sell it and I don't care about anyone.

[@geoffreynhill2833]

Sadly, the Nero-Glib Tosh - sorry, Revolution! - has put paid to all that commie stuff, Shirley!😉

[@swedishfish2357]

Most people would buy a house for someone else in their own name for a million dollar surcharge. Of course most countries can deduce if the individual signing for the property has enough money to do so, that's one thing taxes are for, but place enough money in enough people's pockets and it becomes a nice little shell game. Hence the term shell company

[@DemarcusQ]

“We are the worlds best butler” .. Never looked at it that way but he makes it make sense.

[@user-ii7zr3bj9c]

Why nobody talk about that China has imprisoned more than 1 million Uyghurs! Why nobody talk about that Mongolian, during their expansion of Mongol empire, has slaughtered more than 100 million around the world, which, more horribly all done by blades and arrows. Why everyone think that Chinese is a more decent ruler who deserve take control of Siberia.

[@gip6064]

As an Indian, living in India,i easily relate to this.just 10%of India's millionaire and billionaire own 75%of the country's wealth. And that 10% rich population mostly own or invested their wealth in foreign countries like US,Uk,Canada, Europe,UAE.....

[@pauldonvito6169]

Please please stay safe, Oliver. This is incredible journalism. You and the team should be so proud

[@TomCruz54321]

I really hope for the safety of brave journalists like this. They’re battling billionaires that have the capability to put a hit on them.

[@jesseaffiliate6328]

Not brave enough to investigate biden crime family businesses. But I understand its not possible for biased company controlled somehow by same crime family and its thugs

[@thevarietyoflife7283]

I don't,what you think is true is false information and propaganda, there are interviews with oligarchs and what he said was misinformation, oligarchs are just rich business people like Elon Musk, bill gates, Jeff bozos, queen Elizabeth, etc etc. It amazes me you guys get sucked into crap and say things you don't know crap about. Spreading worldwide false information is literally propaganda. It's 2022 hello, look before you believe what ONE PERSON is saying.

[@jamaly77]

@@TomCruz54321 Just like the CIA with Assange.

[@romeo1650]

Money laundering through real estate is rampant in Toronto, Canada on a large scale as well, which is why many local Canadians may never even have the chance to own their own home without significant help or a substantial salary.

[@DavidManouchehri]

The types of real estate used in these transactions are likely completely out of your price range to begin with, so I doubt it has a noticeable impact for local buyers.

[@romeo1650]

@@DavidManouchehri I’m glad you doubt it. But it’s a known fact. So please try to disinform someone else ya bot.

[@DavidManouchehri]

@@romeo1650 Is that what they teach in Canadian schools now? Everyone who doesn’t share your opinions is a bot? 😂

[@martyminus90]

That is so sad. And it can be fixed. The government need to take action.

[@DavidManouchehri]

@@martyminus90 Foreign buyers make up less than 1% of the Canadian market nowadays. Canadians need to learn to take responsibility for creating their own mess. The core of the issue, is lack of supply. You vote for politicians who implement policies of restricting development to maintain prices, and then act surprised when prices become unaffordable.

[@egomaniacal1]

Wait he bought a tube station for his own personal and private use?!! That’s the craziest and most boss move I’ve heard of in a minute.

[@runyourpocketsg9811]

Government dosent give a crap about things that would lose them money. But yet the rest of us are expected to be good little citizens. No thanks.

[@AdamAlkishawi]

The part of the anarchists occupying that mansion makes me think about the documentary vice did on these anarchists occupying empty mansions across London, they said that there were so many luxury buildings and mansions sitting there empty, now it makes me think if all of those mansions were built to launder money, I mean who would pay hundreds of millions on a luxury home only to leave it sitting empty?

[@swedishfish2357]

The people that own those kinds of homes own multiple properties across the world. People like Bruce McMahan who diddled knowingly diddled and 'married' his long lost biological daughter in Westminster Abbey, the same place royalty gets married at. It's a big club and we ain't in it! Hell even "communists" had their own oligarchs, there always has been and will be the haves and have nots. Unless an A.I. can manage society in to some kind of utopia in the far future.

[@jewellui]

It’s to protect their wealth, they know it’s not safe in Russia particularly if they anger Putin whilst in the UK there are laws in place so it’s better for them to diversify their assets in multiple countries. London has also proven to be stable and proprieties have been appreciating.

[@Yomi4D]

People should just move in!

[@sylviewalker7560]

Definition of laundering...

[@mayaram2411]

Russians aren't the only third world crooks who buy property to launder money. Pakistanis, Arabs, African dictators, they all do it.

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

The UK should publish a UK version of The Pandora Papers.

[@jdarby6157]

amazing journalism thank you!

[@barrygraham1754]

Confiscate all their real estate holdings as per sanctions

[@doingtime20]

Young people out there, you can't buy a house? Well greed is one of the reasons you can't. Income inequality is through the roof, some people at the top are grabbing everything while everybody else just struggles to get by.

[@warlord1207]

welcome to reality

[@TimothyWhiteheadzm]

You never really addressed the reason that the UK encourages it. It raises the prices of housing which artificially raises the wealth of all property owners. Property is basically an investment vehicle in many parts of the world and especially in places like London and New York where property could be said to be in a permanent 'bubble'. A 'bubble' being the term in investment circles for any asset whose value is over inflated beyond its utility value because of its perceived investment value. Of course under capitalism money needs to be invested somewhere and at least some part of the economy will always be in a 'bubble' state and nothing inherently wrong with that, but it does mean that it is susceptible to pops where some people leaving the market can cause a crash of value.

[@lettucesalad3560]

Lawyers, banks and real estate agents are cleaning up.

[@informant09]

Those details are not important for vice. They want a short strong emotional reaction and thats it.

[@yovannifajardo4824]

Oligarchs also like have it other forms of money other than rubles, pounds, etc..

[@pedrocoelho6344]

yes there is something inherently wrong with that!

[@mickeys490]

I have been looking at these comments for like 10minutes and I finally got my answer, thank you

[@andrewmossop6241]

Thanks for the insight. You have confirmed my suspicions,

[@katerentstafford1124]

Thanks for this report man

[@e2rqey]

While everything he's saying is correct, we talk about these oligarchs as if they are a uniquely Russian thing and aren't a part of British and US society as well. We just don't call them "oligarchs" we call them things like "job creators", "entrepreneurs", or they are individually idolized for their wealth and influence like how Elon Musk is by some people. Don't get it twisted though, they are capable of basically everything these Russian Oligarchs are, if not more.

[@dimitarmargaritov]

Not every entrepreneur is ultra wealthy though and most are just actually trying to do better for themselves.

[@e2rqey]

@@dimitarmargaritov I never said every entrepeneur was as wealthy/influential as a Russian oligarch. All i said was that Entrepreneur is one of the things that we end up calling our American oligarchs instead of oligarchs. It's very similar to the way that foreign governments the USA likes are called "administrations" while the ones we don't like are called "regimes". At the end of the day its just a reframing of the exact same thing. The Koch's and those kind of people are functionally identical to oligarchs, the only difference is the government backing them

[@iviv5720]

You the only smart guy in these comments. Like the western elites probably have double what the Russian elite have

[@dimitarmargaritov]

@@e2rqey The difference is most of the US entrepreneurs created their companies out of nothing and didnt privatize the government assets in shady deals.

[@MrGreFunky]

Bang on Sean. Also with western geopolitical goals being hindered by Russia in Ukraine, it's easy to see why the media is reporting on this.

[@honhai57]

“The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.” ― Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome

[@ObaidahNaseer]

perhaps even vice versa

[@beara2482]

Great research , awesome courage!!!

[@michaelp9061]

The uk enabled it and now taking possession of that money. How despicable.

[@gav240z]

Same problem in Australia we turned a blind eye to Chinese money coming in and buying up lots of key real estate etc..

[@youtubeSuckssNow]

Canada did as well.

[@gav240z]

And when I say "we" I mean our Political class. I've been furious about it for years since it made it harder for everyday citizens to buy a home.

[@Daniel-nt5gh]

We might agree on saying that dirty money from dictatorships is being used to attack western societies' middle class, and specially most needed asset, housing, and this has been done with the complicity of our laws and free commerce rules being used against our democracies. They are rooting to the bone our liberty with our own rules.

[@Izzy-qf1do]

Putin: it's a special military operation. Boris Johnson: it was a work meeting.

[@donaldmwenesi4964]

The episode only opens up debate on how foreigners own UK's real estate rather than the ordinary citizen, also the shell companies are located in the British virgin islands that were orchestrated by the British elite.

[@lalovlogslopez-batres8361]

I really liked the English butler reference 😂😂😂

[@glennabela6005]

Oligarchs exist in every country including the so called progressive West. Make no mistake about that.

[@lorenzoblum868]

Corruption is not endemic.

[@carcotasu081]

Maybe, but at least the Western rich don't steal the country's wealth like the Russian oligarchs do. Why do you think the average Russian is so dirt-poor?

[@MrGolondrinaMan]

@@lorenzoblum868 Yes it is, corruption is endemic to power, wherever it may be

[@lorenzoblum868]

@@MrGolondrinaMan you misspelled intrinsic.

[@MrGolondrinaMan]

@@lorenzoblum868 Intrinsic is a more accurate term for it, yes, but endemic also refers to something negative that repeats frequently.

[@sarahflanagan9345]

I love the line at the end where he says "Kleptocracy is terrorism". This rampant pillaging of money from a country (Russia), leaving it impoverished and vulnerable to an evil man like Putin is appalling.

[@leegarnier9396]

@Sarah Flanagan: I understand that you would infer this meaning, but let's not put words in his mouth. He does not actually say he equates kleptocracy to terrorism. What he literally says is that dealing with kleptocracy should require the same amount of attention from the government as it has given to terrorism. I absolutely agree with your sentiment. Kleptocracy might be even more damaging to society due to its relative obscurity. Look, I know I'm being pedantic here and I hope you won't take it as a personal offence. We live in an age of misinformation where the underlying message will be dismissed by others due to a misrepresentation of facts.

[@annychest718]

@@leegarnier9396 Putin is a terrorist..Fact ! Communism enabled him.. Who invented Communism?

[@TomCruz54321]

It’s so disgusting selling out your own citizens for foreign billionaires. When people who voted for you can’t even pay rent and then you take bribes from these russian billionaires so they can buy up all the uk properties. Disgusting.

[@BogdanWeiss]

Just don't mention the oligarch who bankrolled Zelensky & also payed off Hunter Biden - 2 puppet crack heads controlled by the same puppet master...

[@HelenaMikas]

an evil man like Johnson is no better than an evil man like Putin .Your democracy is fading fast and Johnson will not be moved .

[@D-E-S_8559]

The story of the Russian Oligarchs reads exactly like a single page from that of the African Afrogarchs, who've been at this corruption game alongside their former colonial enablers for much much much longer, without the possibility of ANY sanctions...

[@roseie4680]

It's true

[@canesugar911]

They are not starting world wars

[@The84336]

My grandparents once were acquainted with a woman whose daughter used to be married to Roman Abramovich, and apparently she was constantly buying real estate that she shouldn’t have been able to afford.

[@warlordop713]

Rich people that have influence in politics sounds a lot like our home America. 😂

[@lorenzoblum868]

It's called corruption. The consequence of greed. Sounds a lot like our home, Earth.

[@techcafe0]

a loose definition of an oligarch is a very rich business leader / tycoon with undue political influence over government agencies, who negatively impact the lives of people the government is meant to serve. given that, we can say that the United States most definitely has its own oligarchs, starting with the greedy Koch brothers (one of whom is dead now). Elon Musk, the richest man on the planet atm, he could be considered a kind of oligarch, given his outsized influence on U.S. politics.

[@bidenisnotmypresident7352]

especially rich liberal rich people

[@techcafe0]

@@bidenisnotmypresident7352 oh ffs dude, this 'Liberals are the problem' trope is getting real old. Just stop and THINK about the crap that's coming out of your mouth.

[@jponz85]

@@techcafe0 also mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos etc etc

[@genesamarian4278]

Glad you shed light on important issues vice

[@ulihanel7078]

thank you for this fantastic report

[@chinascoming4u]

This is great though pointing out houses, people need to resort to more extreme measures until laws are publicly passed. We cant be lied to anymore, been happening for far too long!

[@jamaly77]

Similar to WW2 ands Nazi Germany. Always easier to blame one specific group, in this case the Russians and their oligarchs.

[@eid8fkebe7f27ejdjdjduyhsvqhwu2]

"Welcome to cleptocracy tour" *Shows the parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the British Museum*

[@nurlagrande]

the truth

[@ClickBoom290]

Serious VICE can you do one for the U.S. oligarchs too?

[@mayaram2411]

Second this. The Russian oligarchs are brazen thieves, but the American tech oligarchs still have an undeserved air of respectability.

[@guyst-pierre5464]

Impossible, vice is now mainstream media... Sad how it got polluted with political bullshit since a couple of years

[@radina92]

what is U.S. oligarchs?

[@lisavanderpump7475]

@@radina92 lmaoooo

[@MCroppered]

@@radina92 oligarch is just a businessman with political influence, the entire US political class is bought by donors, the NRA, big pharma, military/defence contractor neo-con stakeholders are all oligarchs.

[@Pickled73]

Someone Should put together one of these tours around Washington DC and Virginia. There certainly would be no shortage of destinations.

[@souvikrc4499]

Or major cities like NYC, or even the $200 million steel mill funded by Russian money in Kentucky

[@libelldrian173]

In my opinion allowing the sell of property to rich foreign investors who don't even personally use the buildings is one of the most perverted political crimes in practice, especially where real estate markets feel a lot of pressure due to high demand.

[@jashkons]

I guess you have no idea where and from who banks buy gold etc

[@brownwolf152]

I own several apartment complex, so am I corrupt because I don't live there.

[@josephsunday9183]

Why have you not research and write about Nigeria government or Nigerians who have served and stolen, looted the treasury to British Banks? Please research and investigate this for the good people of Nigeria 🇳🇬 🇳🇬 🇳🇬 🇳🇬 🇳🇬 🇳🇬 🇳🇬

[@firuzmiah9794]

All the middle eastern rich people should learn from this. Investing billions in uk 🇬🇧 and western countries but some point everything will be sanctions. So invest money on your own country and people and stop investing in foreign land for your own benefit.

[@Chimera07]

Come on Everyone who stole money from my country went to UK and eventually became its citizens. Been hearing that for over a decade, and now finally a British journalist took this story.

[@lac8356]

Why doesn't the UK just seize property

[@TheFreshSpam]

The laundering is probably what keeps the books balanced for the country most the time. Rather it here than Suadi Arabia, Turkey etc.

[@billsmith53]

This is 1000% the right answer. Despite what they say to the press, the British government loves and probably needs the "investment".

[@xGribbles]

@@billsmith53 How do they need private investment into property lmao, half the time these fuckers don’t pay tax.

[@sammyb3323]

@@billsmith53 But yeah, lets feed and house every person from other countries in the UK before we feed and house our OWN PEOPLE

[@shellshockedgerman3947]

@@sammyb3323 What does that have to do with anything? These oligarchs are probably worth a hell of a lot more compared to native Brits.

[@sammyb3323]

@@shellshockedgerman3947 the uk aint big enough for everybody

[@JackLauricourt]

Thanks for this eye-opening episode. I really enjoyed watching, just wish it was longer! 😂

[@htg97]

i was wondering about this issue for many years too, but i'm not uk citizen and even don't live there. it's a real shame for so called "advanced" western society

[@peninasemira363]

You can't stop the Oligarchs, the Establishment loves their money

[@rdflo6739]

Great work! We need to hear more about this, and get to work on changing society to stop this. A long road ahead I fear..

[@LS-et6se]

I hope this guy will stay safe. I would be scared for my life if I were him, after exposing so much

[@web-navigator]

Of course YOU were.

[@ProfessorFatMan]

You can google most of this stuff and if you dig deep enough you can surprise yourself.

[@Beantown-ld1sg]

He didn’t expose anything,it’s only a big deal because of the bullshyt with Ukraine……

[@luckieoleary6459]

How is it a bad idea…when you’re not the one selling them those property and assets. Is it really your decision to decide?

[@Andre-hz8yx]

I am glad you showed this and it should be shown to everyone.

[@TheMonkeyNetwork]

Some light is shed upon Russian “oligarchs”. But this whole notion isn’t exclusive to the one party, the bigger picture is being missed.

[@J_Urban_]

No one worth millions or more, became this way by staying on the side of being morally correct.

[@miatamatt7105]

Well spoken

[@bigtuna4010]

o

[@samgoddard2617]

that’s a bullshit generalization

[@e2rqey]

The only thing I can think of is like a lottery winner or something like that

[@GuyIncognito764]

true, if you raise your bar maybe. I know plenty of millionaires who have integrity. I'd agree, in general, at around 10million today and there are always exceptions. Your statement is a bit scary to me with it being so concrete....

[@eric_on-yt7022]

Your the best man keep up the great work and keep doing what you love

[@edwardhumphries4752]

Fair play for wearing the money shirt for this interview 😂

[@uprightape100]

Thank you so much, VICE. Housing costs in London might be more affordable if those properties were to be seized and auctioned off to "Brit citizens only", if that's legal. Or maybe subdivided as housing for teachers or other useful types. That Firtash home could become a "Museum Of Kleptocracy". Good idea, yeah?

[@techcafe0]

Ukraine has its own Museum of Kleptocracy & Corruption kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIS9gJSim6eLb7M Viktor Yanukovych, an oligarch allied with Russia. Yanukovych eventually fled to Russia into the arms of Putin, after the EuroMaidan protests in Kyiv's Independenc Square.

[@likemy]

the auction would instead be won by a Chinese or a Khazak kleptocrat.

[@Fharenheit]

If they are auctioned, only the wealthy will get them... mdbthen keavebthem empty.. because its an auction. I dont think thats a good idea

[@domore1287]

Your country will go poop, every country need foreign exchange

[@That1GGirl]

That’s racist af! It’s like saying usa can only rent or sell to white Americans, not Mexicans

[@cageybee7221]

notice how being absurdly rich beyond any reasonable standard of having worked for it is only illegal if you are the wrong nationality. when are we going to go after the american and british oligarchs like this too?

[@hankhill6469]

Serio

[@johnwright3426]

These journalists are hypocrites

[@sabrinakopekova507]

Fantastic video!!! Thank you for this information and this tour is fucking epic!

[@oliviernamias57]

Thanks for your great work. being an Ukrainian, is Firtasch the best exemple of Russian oligarch ? Which part of the 500 wealthiest Russians settled in London ? Do we have an Idea ? Best regards !

[@JuelFishScale2]

This was so good. I had no idea. Thanks Vice for another banger!!

[@bodygraber]

Who owned all this property before the Russians? They didn't seem to have a problem selling it to them. Who were previous oligarchs?

[@jponz85]

Exactly my point to which I commented in another thread saying that inevitably if it isn't the Russians who own these properties it would be someone else either way so what's the problem? Lol

[@carcotasu081]

Well, most probably were the heirs of old British noble families.

[@jarlbalgruufthegreater1758]

Oligarchs from a democratic country are always better than chinese and russian oligarchs. We shouldn feed the dictators puppets anyways

[@sevenhelmets]

The tube station featured in the clip would’ve been owned by the London tax payer. So the people.

[@Captain__Obvious]

@@sevenhelmets If you consider Lord Ashfield and the Henry Wellcome Estate to be common London tax paying folk and not oligarchs themselves then sure

[@chrismckernan2955]

I don't agree that the British government have turned a blind eye to these oligarchs due to the financial benefits they bring with them. I also think that the British government also looked the other way not just the billions they bring and invest in Britain but also all the other influential people and businesses that boost the economy

[@thejuiceweasel]

Fantastic presenter. The ever-present tinge of cynicism in his narration is so well done. He has seen so much of this crap, but he's still a professional.

[@IIBONESII]

First the Oligarchs payed the Politicans of GB so they vote for the Brexit, then the Politicans let them buy like half of their country and now here we are. How stupid can people be? Brexit was really worth it huh? Good luck and greetings from Europe!

[@baverfjant]

They bought "Half the country" decades before Brexit.

[@georgehenry76]

This all sounds like a European problem.

[@baverfjant]

@@georgehenry76 And yet America kept on bringing other NATO countries, and even some outside NATO, into their own conflicts. Don't try and weasel out by claiming this problem isn't on your hands too.

[@georgehenry76]

@@baverfjant ain’t nothing on my hands. I’m no lizard person

[@baverfjant]

@@georgehenry76 Lmao

[@evilemuempire9550]

Russians: Why do you always cast us as bad guys Also Russian oligarch: buys a metro station that definitely hasn’t been converted to an evil lair

[@usernotfound904]

Lair*

[@evilemuempire9550]

@@usernotfound904 lol, you right, I fixed it

[@Vovan07]

Well you have the 500 Russian oligarchs who are enabled by western governments to rob the entire nation of regular Russian people most of whom are piss poor now. So who are the real bad guys in this situation?

[@evilemuempire9550]

@@Vovan07 Definitely the Russian oligarchs, don’t get me wrong, enabling them definitely isn’t right, but just saying oligarchs will be oligarchs so don’t enable them isn’t really fair, these people can choose to not be evil scumbags and rob their countries blind, but they don’t.

[@daniels1263]

It is pretty cool

[@barrygraham1754]

UK needs to investigate, and set new rules and refs for foreign real estate transactions for sure

[@kuwait85]

Excellent work here vice

[@frogstock2597]

I deal with these people in a daily basis as clients around Kensington, Maida Vale, St John's wood areas... They knock down houses and build new ones worth 20+ million like it's nothing. They wash their money buying and building then sell on

[@justwatch843]

There should be an independent investigation about the money that was 'donated' to these politicians and their parties. And all of that money should be clawed back with interest and they should be tried as a criminal.

[@daniels1263]

I love how it’s only Eastern Europeans targeted yet if the British officials are letting people from foreign countries in just because they’re rich then what kind of shady business are they doing

[@biggrhymees88one]

Billionaires don't touch other billionaires, they are peers.

[@karatsurba4791]

Nice Could u also present how our politicians evade taxes n the kickbacks they take next 🙂

[@davidshapiro383]

We watched Mr Firtash's property being constructed behind the old and unused Brompton Square tube station in Knightsbridge as we lived next door for 14 years and very nice it is too. Never did see him.

[@AdamAlkishawi]

Vice did a piece years ago about anarchists occupying empty mansions across London and now it all makes sense, who would pay hundreds of millions for a luxury home only to leave it sitting empty?? Now we know why.

[@thomaspickup3304]

I’ve always wondered how people can afford to buy in areas like this, what is it you do? Also never understood the appeal given the noise etc, why not live in much bigger house further out of London

[@davidshapiro383]

@@thomaspickup3304 Our story is unique but we did not have to pay for the apartment (6 story townhouse with a 3-bed apartment on each floor). One year, around 15 years back a Russian family came to view the property next door. They ended up paying 13M GBP for the whole house and we've never seen them since. One wonders whether it was their money or if it belonged to the Russian people! I supply equipment to and build radio & television stations.

[@thomaspickup3304]

@@davidshapiro383 thank you for replying and sorry for the nosiness. How come you didn’t have to pay for your apartment ? Did you like living there and get to know your neighbours? I’ve always wanted to knock on the doors in Kensington etc and just hear their story, it would be fascinating.

[@davidshapiro383]

@@thomaspickup3304 14 years in Knightsbridge before emigrating. My wife received the apartment as part of her job. I succeeded in a broadcasting licence tender here in Cyprus in 2013 and we already owned property here so, we moved at different times in 2014. Met a lot of both influential and well-known people during the time we lived there. Some were neighbours and others at house parties. Contacts make the world go round don't you know:-)

[@cristinaenache9648]

Să trăiți, și cu cei care m_ai judeca normal in lumea asta

[@goyoelburro]

"The Russian economy is incredibly unequal, only 8 men hold 90% of the economy" MATE, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE USA AS WELL!!! 😂🤣 Do your Kleptocracy tours include US Oligarchs as well, b/c they certainly should. Serious question: What is the difference between a Russian and a US oligarch?

[@lindasvensson593]

this man talks serious business, especially his shirt

[@pacmonkruz9846]

Politician’s work, USA has a bunch of them

[@mahanslt9110]

Thank you.

[@valentinabma]

what a good mini documental!

[@greyfells2829]

The good doctor will sacrifice the limb to save the body.

[@charlesmiv3842]

Make them all dirt poor, they surely deserve it.

[@saulservin4600]

Down with the Russian mother land. God bless America and its allies. And bring down the hammer of fate to the guilty to the gates of hell

[@warlord1207]

they'll be back in the same place

[@Sccoppe]

@@warlord1207 someone gets it 👆

[@pup4corn]

They should do this for Manhattan lmao 🤣

[@ty814]

I think some Yelstin-era oligarchs still are in the game who just compromised with the new tide some are Vladimir Potanin, Mikhail friedman, Petr Aven etc also some oligarchs also cam from different feat of power such as Alisher Usmanov and Vagit Alekperov these two were powerful in politics one in Uzbekistan (at that time part of Soviet Union) another one from (Azerbaijan part of Soviet) Oil Minister from Yeltsin govt. Also another type of one who cannot be called an Oligarch because he doesn’t operate from Russia or neither citizen but still act and does business as oligarch who is Len Blavatnik.

[@adamcheklat7387]

You’d think those oligarchs would actually get off their thrones and pool all their cash to fix Russia for once.

[@zackattack635]

Why don’t you say that about American oligarchs who are ruining the US? Other than the fact that American oligarchs own the media outlets that tell you how bad Russia is… and you uncritically believe it. It’s like you people enjoy getting manipulated by liars.

[@adamcheklat7387]

@@zackattack635 It was just a suggestion. I’m fully aware of America’s oligarchs.

[@nursedaniel72]

The usual . Rich people getting away with murder. Poor people serving prison time for swiping a picnic bar.

[@amithasan7161]

I hope this guy will stay safe.

[@doubtingthomas9612]

The fact that we get free documentaries on KZbin by VICE News is truly a gift. 👍

[@decentintoboredom]

When something is free u are the product

[@jashsylde8136]

Thomas, hey maybe payments are not transparent and obivous, but you watching all them ads aint ya ? Your KZbin watch history is the real commodity being sold. I can judge what type of person you are just by looking at ur watch time and history. I can totally predict what type of products u could buy, what videos games or sports ur interested in, what cosmetics u might use, and what political party you vote for in your country. All this information is worth some money, of course you as a human may carry insignificant monetary value, but ur data cant be auctioned by 1000s of USD worth.

[@renomontenegro7862]

@@jashsylde8136, what if you skip all those ads?

[@jashsylde8136]

@@renomontenegro7862 You still have to watch it in some vids. Un skippable ads are a thing my friend. But There are illegal ways around it. But in the end of the day, KZbin and Google already know this, so they end up selling kinda anonymous data to sell up the difference.

[@renomontenegro7862]

@@jashsylde8136, I skipped video with with "unskippable ads" and then watch them using KZbin Vance.... No ads!

[@anilachar323]

Oliver's black shirt printed with bank notes is a subtle statement...

[@joenichols3901]

Chinese and Russian money in the West must be investigated

[@martinprehjan9944]

When watching these documentaries, I often wonder how many cells does the high security supermax in Florence Arizona has!!! will it be able to house all these guys! I wonder!

[@tu5149]

Thanks for the tips vice 👍🏻