Alisher Usmanov — businessman with roots in the USSR
Alisher Usmanov is a Uzbek-born Russian billionaire and one of the world's wealthiest men, who built his fortune through metallurgy, telecoms, and media. He co-founded USM Holdings and held a major stake in Arsenal FC (2007-2018). Sanctioned by the EU and UK following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he has German residency.
Tracing the roots — Chust (Uzbekistan)
Born in Chust, Uzbek SSR in 1953, Usmanov studied in Moscow and built his career entirely within the Russian business world. His Metalloinvest became Russia's largest iron ore producer. His passion for fencing — he is a former USSR fencing champion — and his patronage of Russian culture define him as a product of Soviet civilisation.
Chust (Uzbekistan). At the time, this region was one of the fifteen republics of the Soviet Union.