Russia mints new batch of billionaires

Russia now has more than 100 billionaires, according to the Russian edition of Forbes magazine. In 2007 there were 60 of them on Forbes global list, while in March 2008, 87 Russians made the super-rich list.

Governor of Russia’s Chukotka region, Roman Abramovich, who used to be the country’s richest man, has slipped to third place with $US 24.3 billion.

American Forbes, however, puts Abramovich in second place. The editor-in chief of the Russian edition says this is because their American colleagues use forecasting information rather than actual assets.

The second richest Russian, Russian Forbes says, is Aleksey Mordashov, the owner of the steel giant Severstal. The article cites figures from March 14, when Severstal was valued at $US 22.9 billion. Since then it has gone up to $US 26.96 billion. Mordashov’s spokesperson declined to comment on the Forbes report.

Topping the list Oleg Deripaska, Chairman of the Board of Basic Element company, with $ 28.6 billion. Deripaskas’s representative said the figure is exaggerated.