Who benefitted from Russia’s transformation to a market economy and why?

A few cleverly creative men, all with some connection to Boris Yeltsin, took advantage of the economic chaos of 1991 that made others suffer. These men soon became the powerful and influential oligarchs of Russia. During the disorderly transition from a command economy to a market economy, these oligarchs knew exactly how to step into the economy and emerge successfully. These oligarchs were skilled business men during the time of the economic changeover, and they used their power as businessmen to manipulate the frenzied companies and people around them to make their millions. All of the oligarchs inserted themselves into the industries - oil, timber, and coal - and now have a monopolized control over them. Many had power with the bank. But their skill in business was not the only tactic these men used to earn millions and gain power. The oligarchs established a strong relationship with Yeltsin, the man in power the time of the changeover, as well as the rest of the political elite. These political connections can guarantee the them their power. So, while the rest of Russia was hit hard by the rapid and clumsy change to a market economy, these oligarchs used all the resources they had to manipulate the situation and climb to the top.