Russian billionaires’ wealth grows by nearly $20 bln despite war, Bloomberg says

The fortunes of Russia’s biggest businessmen have risen by $19.69 billion since the start of the year, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov posted the largest increase, up $4.82 billion to $15.8 billion. Severstal owner Alexey Mordashov added $3.41 billion, reaching $26.6 billion, while USM founder Alisher Usmanov grew his wealth by $3.22 billion to $16.4 billion.

Novatek chairman Leonid Mikhelson’s fortune rose by $2.54 billion to $24.9 billion, Nornickel president Vladimir Potanin gained $1.42 billion to reach $29.3 billion, and Gennady Timchenko added $1.90 billion to $12.9 billion.

Some tycoons saw losses: NLMK chairman Vladimir Lisin’s wealth fell by $3.17 billion to $22.7 billion, and Lukoil co-owner Vagit Alekperov lost $147 million, leaving him with $25.2 billion.

Bloomberg noted that Durov also topped the growth chart in July, when his net worth had risen by $3.27 billion to $14.3 billion.