Post-Soviet Russia in the adventurous 1990's - the wild decade

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Derrick Widmer, accompanied by his assistant, traveled to Moscow 15 months after the Soviet Union's collapse in December 1991, invited by the Russian Alfa Investment Fond. The political and economic landscape was in turmoil, with a population facing severe hardship during a period of dramatic liberalization and privatization. This shock therapy involved auctions where vouchers, distributed for free, were exchanged for shares. However, former Red Directors received significantly more vouchers than ordinary citizens, leading to the emergence of oligarchs. The 1990s saw Russia undergoing a profound economic, social, and political transformation. For ambitious businessmen, success hinged on connections with powerful politicians, secret service members, and organized crime. In this chaotic environment, the value of shares sometimes eclipsed human lives, as the nation teetered on the brink of anarchy. Laws were disregarded, power dictated morality, and wealth was often intertwined with violence. As a contemporary witness, Widmer shares compelling insights from his encounters with prominent politicians, oligarchs, bankers, and lawyers. His experiences fostered a shift in perception, viewing post-Cold War Russia not as an enemy but as a friend, ultimately deepening his understanding of the complex nation and its people.