The silence of the oligarchs

Loading player...
Russia's super-rich once ruled the country, holding deep influence over the country's politicians in the years immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union. They then gradually saw their power decline under the rise of Vladimir Putin, but could they - and would they - ever seek to restore their political influence Russia editor at BBC Monitoring, Vitaly Shevchenko, traces the origin story of Russia’s oligarchs and why the party is now over for Russia’s wealthiest men. From the chaotic post-Soviet days of the 1990s when they amassed vast fortunes and wielded immense power to today where their number has reached an all-time high - while their political influence has virtually disappeared. Vitaly asks what, if anything, might lead them to restore their political clout?
21 Oct 8PM English United Kingdom Education

Other recent episodes

River rebound

When cities industrialise the rivers they were built around are first polluted, then turned into sewers and finally built over. It’s a pattern that’s repeated itself for 250 years from 18th century Paris to 21st century Manila. But across the world the fight is on to release and revive our…
4 Nov 8PM 32 min

Japan’s next meal?

What will the food of the future taste like? In Japan, we discover a fungus turning waste into a high-protein alternative to meat. Then we visit a bedroom where amateur scientists are growing chicken cells. And a restaurant with its very own cultured-meat laboratory upstairs. Could these ideas eventually change…
3 Nov 8PM 29 min

Inheritance: Fiat

Gianni Agnelli is the head of the family that controls Fiat, and the vast business empire beyond the carmaker that helped shape modern Italy. Charming, charismatic and powerful, he's regarded by many as Italy’s unofficial king, and his family de facto royalty. When he dies the country is plunged into…
2 Nov 8PM 29 min

Can businesses trust AI?

Why does artificial intelligence sometimes make things up? From law firms to consultants, businesses are grappling with the risks of AI hallucinations. What's causing them, and can they be prevented?
2 Nov 1AM 25 min

Unlikely: A love across the political divide

Catalina and Jorge were born on the same day - 14 June. They also share a surname and, at one point, attended neighbouring schools. But that is where the similarities end. They hold radically different political views in a country that has endured Latin America's longest running and most violent…
31 Oct 9PM 54 min