Deripaska

Oleg Deripaska is a Russian oligarch and businessman. He is the founder and former owner of Basic Element, a major Russian industrial group. Deripaska was born in Dzerzhinsk, Russia, in 1968. He graduated from Moscow State University with a degree in physics.

In the 1990s, Deripaska became involved in the aluminum industry, acquiring shares in several aluminum plants. He consolidated these holdings into what became Rusal, one of the world's largest aluminum producers. Basic Element also expanded into other sectors, including automotive, construction, and energy.

Deripaska has faced scrutiny and controversy throughout his career. He has been the subject of investigations by various authorities, and in 2018, he was sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury due to his alleged links to the Russian government and alleged involvement in destabilizing activities. These sanctions targeted him and his companies, significantly impacting his business operations. He has denied wrongdoing.

In recent years, Deripaska has stepped down from leadership roles in some of his major companies, including Rusal, to mitigate the impact of sanctions on these businesses. His net worth has fluctuated significantly due to market conditions and geopolitical events. He remains a prominent figure in the Russian business landscape, though his public profile has been somewhat reduced following the imposition of sanctions.