Top 25 richest Russian oligarchs lose a staggering $230B in five months

Russian billionaires from aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska to soccer-club owner Roman Abramovich, right, lost more than US$230-billion in five months during the nation's worst financial crisis since 1998. The combined wealth of Forbes magazine's 25 richest Russians tumbled 62% between May 19 and Oct. 6, based on declines in the equity value of traded companies and analysts' estimates of closely held assets they own. United Co. Rusal's Mr. Deripaska, the richest on the list, lost US$16-billion and in the past week ceded stakes in Hochtief AG and Magna International Inc. Chelsea FC owner and Evraz Group SA shareholder Mr. Abramovich lost US$20-billion. The biggest loser has been Vladimir Lisin, head of Russia's Shooting Club, whose 85% stake in OAO Novolipetsk Steel lost US$22-billion in value. Bloomberg News