Russian embassies around the world jump to his bidding. So, until recently, did western investment banks. Fiction and truth Oleg Garkhov may not be a real person, but he would be immediately recognisable to Russians. Indeed, all insist they are respectable businessmen, however unorthodox their origins. Russia's crisis is presenting the oligarchs with hard questions.
Some oligarchs have a good technical knowledge of their businesses.
Rem Vyakhirev of Gazprom and Vagit Alekperov of Lukoil have built huge companies out of the ruins of the state energy system. Rivalling both for influence is a man with a less tangible business, Boris Berezovsky. As a mathematician, he has solid intellectual credentials. He is a superb self-promoter. Russia's outgoing reformist politicians blame him for their recent downfall.