Russian oligarchs invade Forbes’ top list

Russia has more billionaires than any other country in Europe, according to Forbes’ annual list of the world's richest people.

The number of billionaires in Russia has doubled in just over one year, from 32 to 62 persons.

50 of the 62 Russian billionaires live in Moscow which makes the capital of Russia #2 in the “billionaire city” list, with New York topping it with 60 of America’s super-rich and London in third position with 32 billionaires.

Vladimir Lisin, the Russian steel producer, was named Russia’s wealthiest man with US$15.8 billion dollars and has settled on the 32nd line of Forbes’ billionaire rating list.

He leapfrogged last year's winner, ONEXIM Group owner Mikhail Prokhorov ($13.4 billion), TNK-BP’s managing director Mikhail Freidman ($12.7 billion) and Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich ($11.2 billion).

The only Russian businesswoman in the Forbes list was the Moscow mayor’s wife, Elena Baturina, occupies 342nd position with $2.7 billion.

The 62 Russian billionaires on the list makes Russia home to more billionaires than any nation except the United States and China.

The world’s richest man in 2010 was named as Mexican telecom giant Carlos Slim, who comes up top in the world with a $53.5 billion fortune.

Overall, the number of the world’s billionaires exceeds one thousand, reaching a round number of 1,011 persons, compared with 793 in 2009.