Russian wealth grows by $100 billion, reports Forbes. Rotenberg up 36 places in ranking.

The collective wealth of Russia’s 200 richest businessmen has increased by $100 billion dollars to a total of $460 billion on the year, reported Forbes.

According to the publication, the number of Russia’s billionaires (in dollar terms) as increased from 77 to 96. The lowest fortune amongst the country’s 200 richest businessmen was valued at a record high of $500 million, compared to $350 million a year earlier. This growth in wealth is attributed, first and foremost, to a sharp increase in the value of the ruble in February 2017, as well as to favorable conditions on the commodity market.

This year, Forbes’ list of Russia’s 200 richest businessmen is headed by Leonid Mikhelson – co-owner of gas producer Novatek. His fortune is estimated at 18.4 billion dollars (an increase of $4 billion on the year).

In second place is Severstal owner Alexei Mordashov with a fortune of $17.5 billion (up $6.6 billion and four places in the rating on the year).

In third place is Novolipetsk Steel owner Vladimir Lisin with a fortune of $16.1 billion (up $6.8 billion and five places in the rating on the year).

Ranking amongst Russia’s 50 richest businessmen, was Stroygazmontazh owner Arkady Rotenberg, who went up 36 places and saw a $1.6 billion increase in his fortune on the year. Rotenberg came in 39th place with a fortune of $2.6 billion dollars.

Oleg Tinkov, the owner of Tinkoff, went up 90 places to 79th place. According to the newspaper, Tinkov’s fortunes increased almost 2.5 times to $1.2 billion.

Stroygazmontazh’s Arkady Rotenberg is engaged, amongst other things, in the construction of a bridge across the Kerch Strait – one of the largest infrastructure projects in Russia. Arkady Rotenberg and his brother Boris (who ranks 94th in the Forbes list with a fortune of $1 billion) are believed to be in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle. Arkady Rotenberg’s son Igor is the co-owner of highway toll collection company Platon.