The origin story of Russian oligarchs

Palaces, private jets and superyachts — these are among the prized possessions of Russian oligarchs who have been singled out and sanctioned by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and others. Today, we’ll examine the history of oligarchs, the relationship between them and Russian President Vladimir Putin and the iffy impact sanctions on these superrich types might have. Plus: Wages struggle to keep up with inflation, humanitarian organizations rediscover the “cash is king” approach to aid and the war in Ukraine threatens to worsen global food insecurity. Keep independent journalism going strong. Give today to support Marketplace.