On the shores of the Black Sea is a building, more precisely a palace over 16750 square meters. From the air, you can easily spot a church, tea house and amphitheater, but also a hockey track. Above it, flight is prohibited, but also the passage of other ships around. This according to an investigation launched last year by the already arrested leader of the Russian opposition, Alexey Navalny and led by the group that supports him.
They say this luxury building, almost a King's palace, was built specifically for Vladimir Putin.
"This palace is almost a miniature symbol of Putin's Russia," he said. He no longer sees himself as a state employee or a leader elected by the people. He sees himself as a Tsar or as a King. "And you know that a Russian tsar deserves a palace ," Maria Pevchikh, of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, told CNN.
CNN has not been able to verify Putin's links to the palace. And Kremlin spokesman Dimitry Peskov denies allegations that the Russian leader owns this or any other palace. Maria Pevchikh, of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, says they have evidence that the sources and documents for the construction of the palace's ownership are a clear example of how Russian oligarchs are helping to enrich Putin on a daily basis.
"It was paid for by Russian oligarchs, by companies owned by the Russian state. "Money from Russian citizens, ordinary citizens who pay taxes, who turn into payments to build this resort on the Black Sea."
According to investigations so far, the money for the palace was provided by a Russian Investment Fund, which has received charitable funds from Russian oligarchs.
"There are rumors that Putin is the richest man in the world and he probably is. "It's very, very difficult to try to figure out something about his fortune and where he keeps his fortune," said Jill Dougherty, a contributor to CNN.
It is a net worth of more than 100 billion dollars, although officially Putin owns only a 74-square-meter apartment, several cars and a modest salary, which for 2020 amounted to 140 thousand dollars. But how much is his income, it is difficult to estimate, as it is almost impossible to estimate how many businesses he runs, how many houses or cars he has, how much he earns per month or per year.
None of this is officially listed in his name, says journalist Tom Burgis. "He says there is nothing. But it is almost a godfather. He owns almost everything, with a flick of the finger, as we have seen him do in the past, he can take everything from an oligarch. "So, no matter how rich or influential the oligarchs may seem, they are absolutely dependent on Vladimir Putin."
